Jose Edgaro Velazco-Alvarado, 34

Jose Edgaro Velazco-Alvarado, a 34-year-old Latino male, died Jan. 13 after being stabbed while on board a Red Line train in East Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Velazco-Alvarado, who was stabbed by another passenger, was taken to a hospital in grave condition when the train came to a stop at the Vermont/Santa Monica station, said Metro spokesman Marc Littman.

A security camera captured a brief verbal exchange between Velazco-Alvarado and the assailant just moments before the stabbing.

"There was a verbal exchange," said Det. Keith Schumaker of the Sheriff's Department's Transit Bureau. "Then the suspect produces a weapon and lunged toward the victim with a stabbing motion."

The assailant was described as 18 to 24 years old. There was no immediate word that authorities had identified a suspect or if anyone was in custody.

A woman told The Times a few hours after the incident in a telephone interview that she saw the stabbing unfold and that it was "quite traumatic."

The woman, who asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation, said she was standing by the door when she saw the suspect singing loudly in the car.

He “walks down the aisle to the middle section and was standing there singing really loud rap music,” the woman said. “I particularly noticed because I was watching, thinking, that’s aggressive and loud.”

Another man, later identified as Velazco-Alvarado, walked toward the singing man, who then stabbed Velazco-Alvarado in the neck, she said.

After that, the train stopped and the assailant ran out the door, she said. The victim was bleeding profusely, she said.

Metro officials urged anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information about the stabbing to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Ari Bloomekatz