by LOS ANGELES, CA — A violent incident erupted Thursday afternoon near a Cheesecake Factory in Canoga Park, when a man armed with an AR-15–style rifle opened fire and then stabbed a woman during what police say was a child custody dispute.
What Happened at the Scene
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), officers responded around 12:30 p.m. to reports of a possible shooting and stabbing. When they arrived, they found a woman in the restaurant’s bathroom suffering from stab wounds to her shoulder.
Police say the man, armed with an AR-15–style rifle equipped with high-capacity magazines, fired multiple rounds at the woman but missed. The victim attempted to flee but returned to retrieve her 2-year-old daughter from a stroller. When she came back for the child, the suspect stabbed her in the shoulder.
Witness Accounts
The scene quickly turned chaotic inside the Cheesecake Factory. Witnesses described panic as the injured woman rushed into the restaurant carrying her child and begging for help.
“We were sitting and eating and a lady came in, with a kid in her arms,” said Gabi, a customer. “She was screaming, ‘Lock the doors, lock the doors,’ and then we heard she was either stabbed or shot. People left their food on the tables and ran.”
Restaurant staff and diners scrambled for safety as police rushed to secure the area.
Victim’s Condition
The woman was taken to a local hospital, where she is reported to be in stable condition. Authorities confirmed that her daughter was not injured during the attack.
Read Also: Former Iowa Gymnastics Coach Accused of Exploiting Children Across Three States, FBI Seeks Victims
The Suspect and the Weapon
Police apprehended a man wearing a white shirt and carrying a black backpack near the scene. He was taken into custody without further incident.
According to nbclosangeles, Investigators determined that the rifle used in the attack was not California-compliant and was fitted with illegal high-capacity magazines. California law bans both military-style assault weapons and magazines that hold more than ten rounds.
Motive Behind the Attack
Authorities say the violence stemmed from a child custody dispute between the suspect and the victim. The case remains under investigation, and police have not yet released the suspect’s identity.
Community Concerns
The incident has raised new concerns about illegal firearms in Los Angeles and the dangers they pose when tied to domestic disputes. Local residents expressed shock that such a violent attack took place in a busy shopping and dining area in broad daylight.
Key Takeaways
- A woman was stabbed near the Canoga Park Cheesecake Factory after a man opened fire with an AR-15–style rifle.
- The attack stemmed from a child custody issue that escalated into violence.
- Witnesses described chaos as customers fled the restaurant for safety.
- The victim is in stable condition, and her 2-year-old daughter was unharmed.
- The suspect was arrested, and his rifle was found to be illegal in California due to its modifications.
What do you think about Los Angeles gun laws and their enforcement? Should stricter checks be in place to prevent illegal weapons from being used in public attacks? Share your thoughts in the comments on ibwhsmag.com.
