Two teenage boys were booked on suspicion of murder after a teenager was stabbed to death in Sherman Oaks Friday over a suspected narcotics dispute.
The alleged stabbing took place when two groups of teenagers met in the rear of an apartment complex in the 15000 block of Dickens Street at about 6:45 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers said.
The 17-year-old victim, Jacob Koffman, died at the hospital from his injuries, inflicted after two groups of teenagers met up with a drug dealer to rob him, said LAPD Sgt. Roy Guthrie, who called the incident a "drug deal gone awry."
Neighbors reported hearing screams from outside the building, which is about a block east of a Whole Foods Market grocery store.
"I looked out the window (and) saw two guys on the floor handcuffed, and their faces were against the ground," neighbor Norm Vance said, "(There was) all this commotion, then I saw units coming up the side of the building."
One of the juveniles booked on suspicion of murder was also taken to the hospital for treatment, but was later released, Hensley said.
Ennio Avolio, 18, was booked for possession of narcotics, but it was unclear how he was releated to the stabbing.
Beverly White also contributed to this report