Credit: Inside The MagicA stabbing has occurred outside Universal Studios Hollywood.
Although theme parks are meant to be fun, family-friendly destinations, it feels like 2024 has brought an unsettling rise in dramatic headlines from popular parks around the world.
At Disneyland Resort – AKA the Happiest Place on Earth – a fight broke out in Toontown earlier this year, while August saw guests come to physical blows over tables at Pym’s Kitchen in Disney California Adventure Park.
Tensions rose after two guests approached the same table at the same time. “I’ve now seen 2 arguments start over this, and one did have some physical contact with a guy pushing another guy who tried to cut in front of him to get to a table,” one Reddit user recalled.
Meanwhile, in June, at Universal Studios Hollywood, a guest was arrested after allegedly throwing his wife to the ground and then punching a security officer in the face.
As a result of his actions, the guest likely faced a permanent ban from the Southern California theme park, which is home to the likes of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the famous Studio Tour.
In 2022, a woman was tragically stabbed outside the park while exiting the metro. Mirna Soza Arauz was traveling on the train between the North Hollywood and Universal/Studio City stations when she was unexpectedly stabbed in the neck.
Initially, police believed the attack occurred as she was getting off the train, but security footage later revealed that it had actually happened aboard the train.
Sadly, Arauz succumbed to her injuries shortly after. Police arrested 45-year-old Elliot Tramel Nowden, who had fled the scene but was identified by multiple witnesses who provided a description of the shocking murder.
Stabbing Reported Outside Universal Studios
Yesterday, yet another stabbing was reported outside the park in the same place.
As per Fox 11, the incident occurred at a Metro station in Universal City at approximately 9.45 p.m. last night (December 17).
When LAPD arrived at the scene, they found a 34-year-old man with stab wounds to his back. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is apparently now stable.
Police claim that the stabbing suspect left while pushing a cart with a speaker on it, while Metro released the following statement.
Metro’s focus is on ensuring our system is safe for our customers and employees, even as our county works to address the drug addiction and untreated mental illness challenges that result in incidents like the one on our system last night. We value the continued partnership with our city and county partners in ensuring the Metro system can get the people of Los Angeles where they need to go – and safely.
Stay tuned for more updates.