Joe Lopez, 28

Joe Lopez, a 28-year-old Latino, was fatally stabbed Sunday, Aug. 6, in the 12600 block of Glenoaks Boulevard in Sylmar, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before 3 p.m., Lopez, a security guard at the Sylmar Towne Shopping Center, was told by staff members at the nearby Food 4 Less that a man had shoplifted from the store, Los Angeles Police Det. Efren Gutierrez said.

Lopez tried to detain the man, who stabbed him, Gutierrez said. Lopez was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:27 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

The suspect fled to his home, which was nearby, leaving a trail of blood from the crime scene, Gutierrez said.

Santiago Madrigal, a 24-year-old Latino, was arrested on suspicion of murder later that day.

A weapon has not been recovered, police said.

Madrigal pleaded not guilty on Aug. 8 to a murder charge with the allegation that he used a knife as a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. He is expected to return to court Sept. 28 for a preliminary hearing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Valley Bureau detectives at (818) 374-9550. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.