Man allegedly killed by USC students at Greek Row identified

Authorities have identified the man who police say was killed by a USC student during an altercation on Greek Row this week.

The victim, described by police as homeless, was 27-year-old Xavier Cerf, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner.

Ivan Gallegos, 19, is being held on $2 million bail after he and two others confronted Cerf during a car break-in, prompting Gallegos to pull out a knife and fatally stab him, according to Los Angeles police.

The altercation occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Monday in the 700 block of West 28th Street, police said. Gallegos remained at the scene after the stabbing, cooperated with investigators and was later arrested, police said. The two other men who were with him were questioned and released.

Police said they found Cerf in a nearby alley with stab wounds. When paramedics arrived, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hours after homicide detectives cleared the crime scene Tuesday, a trail of dried blood led to an alley behind a row of USC fraternity buildings. The trail began near the Delta Tau Delta house and led past broken beer bottles, discarded Zyn nicotine containers and painted wood from fraternity-themed parties.

Gallegos told officers the man who broke into the car claimed he was armed with a gun, according to acting LAPD Chief Dominic Choi. However, a law enforcement source told the Times that no weapon was found at the scene. The district attorney has not filed charges against Gallegos, who was arrested on suspicion of murder.