In the wake of USC student Ivan Gallegos’ arrest on suspicion of murder, students and community members are taking to social media and news outlets to share support and call for his release.
Gallegos is currently being held on $2 million bail. He was arrested around 8:15 p.m. Monday night after allegedly fatally stabbing an unhoused individual identified Wednesday by the coroner’s office as 27-year-old Xavier Cerf.
Cerf was reportedly breaking into cars on West 28th St., USC’s Greek Row, when Gallegos and two other individuals confronted him, according to LAPD Media Relations. The victim told Gallegos he had a gun, according to LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi, but a law enforcement source told the L.A. Times that no gun was recovered. Cerf was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the days since the incident, two different GoFundMe fundraisers were posted by Gallegos’ mother, and each raised thousands of dollars within hours before being taken down. While Annenberg Media cannot confirm the exact reason the fundraisers were removed, GoFundMe has a policy against raising money for the legal defense of violent crimes.
In addition to donations, supporters of Gallegos have been vocal online in advocating for his release. Some of them use the phrases “justice for Ivan” and “free Ivan.”
“He should definitely be freed. There should be no reason why he’s even there right now,” Rafael Cardenas, a recent USC graduate and Gallegos’ friend, told Annenberg Media.
Cardenas said he recently became close with Gallegos and was planning on collaborating with him for his clothing business. He scheduled a meeting with Gallegos Monday evening, and arrived at Gallegos’ residence, the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house, just minutes after the stabbing. He said he wholly believes Gallegos was acting in self defense.
“Really, he was a hero, because if this burglar or robber really did have a gun, then we would have three dead USC students on frat row,” Cardenas said.
Two witnesses and friends of Gallegos also described his actions as self defense in an exclusive interview with Los Angeles Magazine. The individuals, who the news outlet did not name, said that the man had broken into a friend of Gallegos’ car, and refused to exit the vehicle. They said the man claimed he owned the car.
“He feared for his life,” one told LA Mag. “He had to defend himself.”
Cardenas described Gallegos as a caring individual, whose goal is to give back to his community as an L.A. native from Boyle Heights. Gallegos started a non-profit called “If I don’t, Who Will?” with a mission to “provide comprehensive resources and guidance for young people as they navigate the critical transition to adulthood, with a special emphasis on those impacted by felonies, delinquency, gang violence, and substance abuse.” He is also involved in music and Latinx communities and clubs on campus, and his Linkedin states he is a Presidential scholar at USC.
Despite outspoken support for Gallegos in the community, there is also significant criticism of him on social media. Some questioned why he reportedly had a knife. There is no indication any of the people commenting witnessed the incident.
The case is still being investigated and a hearing date has not been made available to the public.