A suspected car burglar was fatally stabbed by a student witness on Monday night, June 17, 2024 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, prompting a police investigation and community debate.
Around 8 p.m., 19-year-old USC student Ivan Gallegos confronted 27-year-old Xavier Cerf, who was allegedly breaking into cars outside a fraternity house on Greek Row. Gallegos approached Cerf and stabbed him multiple times. Cerf was pronounced dead at the location of the incident.
The investigation revealed that Gallegos and two other fraternity members approached Cerf as he was breaking into a Mercedes Benz belonging to one of their friends behind their fraternity house. Armed with a knife, Gallegos demanded Cerf leave the vehicle. Cerf allegedly refused and claimed he had a gun, reaching for his waist. In the ensuing struggle, Gallegos grabbed Cerf’s hands to prevent him from drawing a weapon and stabbed him in the chest.
LAPD interim Chief Dominic Choi reinforced, “Cerf told Gallegos he had a gun, which led to Gallegos taking immediate action to protect himself and others.”
Following a comprehensive evaluation of all evidence, we have chosen not to file charges against USC student Ivan Gallegos,” stated District Attorney George Gascón. “We believe Mr. Gallegos acted out of a legitimate fear for his own life and the lives of others.”
The family of Xavier Cerf expressed their disappointment over the decision not to file charges. “Our hearts are broken, and we feel that the justice system has failed us,” a family member said. “We are exploring all legal avenues to seek justice for Xavier.”
Cerf, who was homeless, had a history of encounters with law enforcement, including a misdemeanor assault conviction in Texas in 2020. He was known for his social media presence, where he shared videos of himself dancing.
Gallegos, a business student at USC, was recently profiled by USC’s Annenberg Media for his aspirations in music and community service. Friends and classmates described him as dedicated to making a positive impact. “Ivan is known for his kindness and willingness to help others. This incident is completely out of character for him,” a friend said.
USC President Carol Folt addressed the incident, offering condolences to Cerf’s family and supporting the affected students. “We are deeply saddened by this event and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students,” Folt said. “We will work closely with law enforcement to fully understand what happened and to prevent such incidents in the future.”