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Suspect identified in Canoga Park murder
LAPD detectives allege Jerry Wizar, 32, of Canoga Park is responsible for the stabbing death of Michael Silva, 39.
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LAPD Media Relations
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CANOGA PARK — Los Angeles police today are asking the public's help in finding a Canoga Park man who allegedly killed a Chatsworth man after a physical altercation between the two acquaintances turned deadly.
Michael Silva, 39, was found dead in the 7000 block of Glade Avenue about 2 a.m. Saturday, according to police and coroner's investigator Jerry McKibben.
Police were sent to an address in the area on a report of "unknown trouble.''
Topanga area police detectives identified the suspect as Jerry Wizar, 32, of Canoga Park.
Wizar and Silva were longtime acquaintances, detectives said. After consuming alcohol for several hours outdoors, they got into an argument that became physical, and Wizar pulled a knife and fatally stabbed Silva, said LAPD Det. Dave Peteque.
Wizar allegedly fled, leaving Silva unconscious on the sidewalk. Det. Peteque said police believe Wizar remains at large in the area.
Wizar was described as Latino, with brown hair and eyes, about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds.
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"These are acquaintances who knew each other for years," Det. Peteque said. "There is not a psycho killer running around."
Anyone with information about the killing or the suspect's whereabouts was asked to call detectives at the Topanga Station at (818) 756-4800. The LAPD's 24-hour tipline is (888) LAPD-24-7.
KPCC staff contributed to this report.
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