Teen stabbed to death at Palms carnival

A 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by another teen during a summer carnival in the Palms community of Los Angeles, officials said. 

The carnival was held as a fundraiser for the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division station and youth programs.

The stabbing was reported around 10:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Keystone Avenue, which was shut down shortly afterward.

Witnesses said there was a fight just before a 15-year-old boy stabbed the victim, Edel Quintero, multiple times.

The injured teen was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries.

Authorities believe the stabbing was gang-related.

The suspect remains at large and no description was released.

The stabbing occurred on the second day of a three-day event advertised as the Palms Community Weekend and Summer Carnival, co-hosted by the Pacific Area Boosters Association, the Motor Avenue Association and L.A. City Council District 5, which is represented by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky.

The primary sponsor, the Pacific Area Boosters Association, is described as an organization of business professionals and community members that was incorporated in 1973 and supports the LAPD's Pacific Division.

Following the fatal stabbing, a member of the Police Commission called on the department to clarify and bolster safety measures for fundraisers affiliated with the agency's stations.

During Tuesday's Board of Police Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Maria Lou Calanche asked for the department to clarify or develop protocols to better secure fundraisers.

"We can't prevent tragedy or random acts of violence, but we can at least have all our organizations that we work with know, like, here are the things that you should think about," Calanche said.

Interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said the department would work with her on the effort, though he noted that booster groups and other organizations are responsible for safety at such events.

The pop-up carnival was scheduled for June 21-23 on Venice Boulevard between Overland and Motor avenues.

All funds raised support the LAPD Pacific Cadet / Junior Cadet Programs and the needs of the Pacific Division officers and station, organizers said. The Junior Cadets program serves youths ages 9 through 12 who want to know more about law enforcement. The main cadet program serves youths ages 13-17.

In addition to Palms, the LAPD's Pacific Division includes the communities of Venice, Westchester, Del Rey, Manchester Square, Mar Vista, Oakwood, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista.

The weekend carnival shut down early Saturday but was expected to resume Sunday as scheduled.