Girl and Grandfather Attacked in Knife Assault in Los Angeles

Neighbor arrested after stabbing 12-year-old and her grandfather outside their home

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A 12-year-old girl and her grandfather were attacked with a knife by a neighbor as they were leaving for school in the Sunland neighborhood of Los Angeles. Both the girl and her grandfather were stabbed before the assailant fled the scene. The neighbor, who has a history of prior arrests and police calls, has been taken into custody.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and the challenges of addressing repeat offenders in the Los Angeles area. Neighbors reported a history of problems with the alleged assailant, raising questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in preventing such violent attacks.

The details

According to police, the 12-year-old girl and her 68-year-old grandfather were attacked by a neighbor as they were leaving their home for school. The neighbor, whose name has not been released, suddenly approached the pair and stabbed them both before fleeing the scene. Both victims were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The attack occurred around 7:30 am on February 9, 2026 as the girl and her grandfather were leaving their home.
  • Police responded to the scene shortly after receiving a 911 call about the assault.

The players

Gayane Ananyan

A neighbor who witnessed the attack and reported a history of problems with the alleged assailant.

The 12-year-old girl

The victim of the knife attack, who was stabbed along with her grandfather as they were leaving for school.

The 68-year-old grandfather

The other victim of the knife attack, who was stabbed along with his granddaughter as they were leaving for school.

The neighbor

The alleged assailant who attacked the girl and her grandfather with a knife before fleeing the scene. The neighbor has a history of prior arrests and police calls according to neighbors.

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What they’re saying

“We've been having lots of problems with him. He's been arrested multiple times. We've called the police multiple time and nothing happens.”

— Gayane Ananyan, Neighbor

What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and the suspect's history. The assailant is expected to face charges related to the attack.

The takeaway

This violent assault underscores the need for more effective interventions to address repeat offenders and improve public safety in the Sunland neighborhood of Los Angeles. Neighbors have expressed frustration with the lack of action despite prior issues, raising concerns about the criminal justice system's ability to prevent such attacks.