Man who was viciously stabbed bled to death after someone stole his ambulance, family says

"In that moment, every second mattered. The City's paramedics and rescue vehicle were Reinaldo's only realistic chance of survival. The Downey Fire Department rescue vehicle that responded was not equipped with a anti-theft locking device required under state law and applicable Fire Department standards."

"The 68-year-old had only recently retired from his job as a lab technician at UCI Medical Center when he was attacked on the morning of Sept. 13, 2025, in the Downey Civic Center parking lot. Suspect Giovanni Navarro, 23, had been arrested for trespassing at the same location less than 24 hours earlier. Navarro had 28 prior criminal convictions, including brandishing a weapon, attempted burglary and criminal threats."

"The Los Angeles County medical examiner determined that Lefonts suffered at least four sharp force injuries to his head, neck and right forearm. The fatal wound was a stab to the neck, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to the autopsy report."

Reinaldo Jesus Lefonts, a 68-year-old recently retired lab technician, was attacked and stabbed in the Downey Civic Center parking lot while charging his electric vehicle. The attack severed both his carotid arteries and jugular veins. An ambulance arrived at the scene but was then stolen by the driver, who led police on a pursuit ending in a crash miles away. Lefonts died at the scene. His family filed a $40 million legal claim against the city, citing multiple failures including inadequate security despite a surveillance sign, the ambulance lacking a required anti-theft locking device, and poor emergency response. The suspect, Giovanni Navarro, had 28 prior criminal convictions and had been arrested for trespassing at the same location less than 24 hours earlier.

Read at Los Angeles Times