Otis Hightower, 55

Otis Hightower, a 55-year-old black man, was fatally stabbed on Wednesday, July 3, near West 54th Street and 4th Avenue in Hyde Park, according to L.A. County coroner’s records.

Hightower was standing outside a liquor store about 6:15 p.m. when a man approached,  LAPD Det. Sal LaBarbera said.

The two got into a heated dispute, and the man to pulled out a knife and stabbed Hightower, police said.  Investigators also said that the man reached into Hightower’s pocket, took money, then fled on foot.

Hightower died at the scene at 6:30 p.m.

Darwin Stephen Martinez, 21, was arrested  July 5 and was booked on suspicion of murder. He is being held in lieu of $1-million bail, according to L.A. County Sheriff’s Department records.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz