A Long Beach man dressed in all black was arrested Sept. 1 after allegedly stabbing a man last month during a protest against vaccine mandates.
Eric Cohen, 30, was booked at the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently held on a $1 million bail.
“In Los Angeles, we’re not going to stand for it. Our arrest last night demonstrates that we'll put whatever resources we need to identify those responsible for such violence and bring them to criminal justice system,” Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Michel Moore told KTLA5 on Sept. 2.
Around 500 protestors rallied at the “Choose Freedom March” against the vaccine mandates on Aug. 14 near the intersection of 1st Street and Spring Street.
A counter protest, “No Safe Space for Fascists,” showed up with 30 to 50 people following the protesters about an hour later, according to Moore.
The dueling protests escalated to a brawl between the two groups when Cohen allegedly stabbed the victim once with a knife or sharp object in the upper right chest area.
The victim suffered a lacerated heart and punctured lung, and is expected to survive. His current state is unknown.
Multiple search warrants were served in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, according to the LAPD.
Cohen was identified as wearing a black hoodie, black bandanna, black skinny jeans, and white tennis shoes.
Video shows another stabbing victim; however, it is unclear who the victim and the assailant were, as the victim has not identified themselves.
“We have imagery of a second person that appears to stabbed during this melee as well, and that individual has yet to step forward and be identified,” Moore said.
Detectives are asking anyone who may be a victim or has additional information regarding Eric Cohen to contact Major Crimes Detective Meesri at (213) 486-7362.
“There is no place for violence in this city, or anywhere across the country,” said Moore.
