Percy Jones, 50

Percy Jones, 50, a black man, was stabbed to death about 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, in Westlake during a dispute in an alley near 7th and Hoover streets, near Koreatown.

Officer Julianne Sohn of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations office said Jones was involved in a dispute with several men. She said the men began punching and kicking Jones, and one of them stabbed him several times with a knife. Jones was taken by ambulance to County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead the next day.

Family members said they learned about Jones' death from a coroner's investigator two days later. The investigator told the family that Jones was found in an alley and had died Monday morning at a hospital. His case, the investigator said, was being investigated as a homicide. 

Jones' uncle, Anthony Cook, said his nephew had left for Lancaster that Sunday morning. He "didn't tell me he was going anywhere in downtown," Cook said. 

Family members searched for news stories on the Web about a possible homicide in the alley, but were frustrated to learn there had been no coverage on it. On Saturday, Aug. 30, Jones' family called The Times' newsdesk and were given details about his death.

"I'm stunned," Cook said. The coroner "told me they found him in the alley, but nothing about him being stabbed."

Cook's daughter, Tamiko, said her cousin liked to be outdoors and was trying to get his own apartment. She said Jones' longtime girlfriend died of a stroke in 2001. Shortly after, he had a hard time finding a place to live, often staying with relatives.

Tamiko Cook, 34, said her cousin had just returned from Lancaster the week before. She said when Jones' returned, he told the family that he was moving to Lancaster because rent was affordable and he had met a woman.

"He was looking for a ride," Anthony Cook said. "He left here walking."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call LAPD Rampart homicide detectives at (213) 484-3450. Callers can remain anonymous.

-Ruben Vives