Man stabbed to death in Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant in Belmont Shore

LONG BEACH, Calif. - A man died after a stabbing at a Dave's Hot Chicken restaurant in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach early Sunday morning. Police are still searching for the attacker.

It happened around 1 a.m. According to reports, Long Beach Police were called out to the restaurant in the 5200 block of E. 2nd Street after reports of a stabbing. Officials said a fight broke out between two groups, and at one point, one man stabbed another in the torso, before running off.

Paramedics took the man to the hospital, where he later died. Police have not yet identified him.

A man died at the hospital after being stabbed inside a Long Beach restaurant on March 3, 2024. (OC Hawk)

Residents in the area were surprised by the news of the attack.

"It doesn't happen in this area at all," said Daryl Bustamante. "This place has been known as just a great space to come and hang out with your friends, your family, your dogs. I mean, this stuff doesn't happen here. I'm really surprised."

Bustamante grew up just a few blocks away from the restaurant. He and his wife, Rozanne, said they noticed an increased police presence in the area Sunday night.

"We typically feel safe in this area coming down," said Rosanne Bustamante. "We come here quite a bit, so it's unusual to see this kind of activity happen."

Some Belmont Shore residents blamed local laws for the violence.

Even if they caught the guy that stabbed him and killed him, some lawyer or some district attorney would let the guy out of jail," said Howard Homan. "If you don't punish them, they don't think they have a problem."

Kurt Schneiter is the president of the Belmont Shore Business Association. He thinks the death could have been prevented.

"We're not seeing enforcement of crimes that are much smaller crimes, and it appears they grow and they grow," Schneiter said. "It kills me to see this happening in our area. We need to prosecute, and we need to send a message to the community that we are here to protect your interests. We are here to make sure your children are safe. This didn't need to happen."

Police have not yet released a desciription of the suspect and the circumstances leading up to the stabbing remain under investigation.

Those with information are asked to contact detectives at 562-570-7244. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or can submit tips online at LACrimeStoppers.org.