Sangmas Saluckait, 45

Died March 1, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.

Sangmas Saluckait, a 45-year-old Asian man, was found stabbed to death at 7th Street and Figueroa Avenue about 3:57 a.m. in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, March 1.

Saluckait was found dead on the stairway of the Metro station, which is patrolled by deputies from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Saluckait was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

According to Sgt. Mitch Loman of the sheriff's homicide bureau, Saluckait, a homeless man, was sleeping when Robess Nelson, a 68-year-old homeless black man, allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him several times. An MTA employee discovered the body early in the morning.

After reviewing security videotapes, a description was sent out to law enforcement agencies around the area. Deputies later arrested Nelson at another subway station that day on suspicion of murder. There is no motive for the stabbing.

"This is one of those out-of-the-blue incidents,"  Loman said. "But at least he's no longer on the streets where he may try to do this again," he added.