Arrest made in downtown stabbing case

Police have arrested a Los Angeles man on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing at Sixth Street and Olive Avenue in the early hours of March 15.

Ryan Nigel Curtis, 27, was arrested at his workplace Tuesday based on evidence collected from the scene, witness and victim interviews, and cooperation from downtown businesses, authorities said.

The 21-year-old victim was stabbed about 2 a.m., after being confronted at Main Street and Olive Avenue by the suspect while with another group of men. Police said the altercation may have begun based on the “perceived treatment of a female who was standing nearby,” who probably was not connected with any of the men.

“The confrontation took place at Main and Olive. At some point later on, it moved over toward the Sixth and Olive area,” Lt. Tom Donnelly said, but the exact timing is still unclear.

By the time police arrived on the scene, the victim was “clinging to life,” authorities said, with an apparent knife wound.

Police said the attack was unrelated to a stabbing of a teenage boy on Pacific Coast Highway earlier this month.

“It’s not an epidemic; it’s not an ongoing thing,” Donnelly said.

Anyone with additional information about the incident, or who may have witnessed the altercation, is asked to call the police department hotline at (714) 375-5066.

Reporter CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].