Downey Family Seeks $40M After Father Fatally Stabbed Outside Library

Family says officials failed to make Civic Center area safe, leading to tragedy.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The family of Reinaldo Lefonts is seeking $40 million in damages from the city of Downey after the 68-year-old was fatally stabbed while charging his car outside the Downey Public Library in September 2025. They claim officials did not do enough to secure the Civic Center area, and that precious time was lost when a different suspect stole the ambulance Lefonts was transported in.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about public safety and security in municipal areas, as well as the need for better emergency response protocols to prevent further tragedies. The family's lawsuit also raises questions about a city's duty to protect its citizens in public spaces.

The details

Lefonts was stabbed outside the Downey Public Library on September 13, 2025. As police investigated the incident and Lefonts was loaded into an ambulance, a separate suspect unrelated to the stabbing stole the ambulance and led police on a lengthy pursuit. Family members say this delay prevented paramedics from potentially saving Lefonts' life. They believe the city failed to adequately secure the Civic Center area, which they consider the "crown jewel" of Downey.

  • The fatal stabbing occurred on September 13, 2025 outside the Downey Public Library.
  • Lefonts had retired from his job at a UC Irvine laboratory just 3 months prior to the incident.

The players

Reinaldo Lefonts

A 68-year-old man who was fatally stabbed while charging his car outside the Downey Public Library.

Giovanni Navarro

A 23-year-old unhoused man with a lengthy criminal history who was arrested for the deadly stabbing.

Nicholas DeMarco

A 52-year-old unhoused man who was arrested after stealing the ambulance transporting Lefonts and leading police on a pursuit.

Alex Galindo

The attorney representing Lefonts' family in their $40 million lawsuit against the city of Downey.

Downey Public Library

The location where Lefonts was fatally stabbed, which the family says the city failed to adequately secure as part of the Civic Center area.

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What they’re saying

“They hired a security firm to go and service other areas, secure other areas of the city, but not their crown jewel, their civic center. Certainly a credible anticipation or expectation that it would be a safe place, when in fact it wasn't and it was a complete, colossal failure on the part of the city.”

— Alex Galindo, Attorney representing Lefonts' family (CBS LA)

“The paramedics couldn't transport him to the hospital because the vehicle was stolen by another homeless man. You can't even write this stuff. I mean, it was just so outrageous and so ridiculous for this to happen.”

— Alex Galindo, Attorney representing Lefonts' family (CBS LA)

“Clean up the city and this area. Again, this happened right in front of the Downey Library where little children come to learn and read books and study and do homework.”

— Alex Galindo, Attorney representing Lefonts' family (CBS LA)

What’s next

The city of Downey has 45 days to respond to the tort claim filed by Lefonts' family. If there is no response, an official lawsuit will be filed.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for municipalities to prioritize public safety and security, especially in high-traffic civic areas. The family's lawsuit seeks accountability and change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.