One charged, one released in connection with fatal Arcadia stabbing

ARCADIA -- Officials charged one man with murder and released a second man without charges Thursday in connection with a fatal stabbing behind an Arcadia strip mall, authorities said.

Juan L. Lorenzo, 31, of San Gabriel was charged with one count of murder and one count of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the fatal stabbing of Anthony Berry, 18, of Pomona, in the 1300 block of South Golden West Avenue, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Jane Robison said.

A second man, 26-year-old Jose Cruz Ramirez of San Gabriel, was initially arrested in connection with the stabbing.

"We declined to file (on Ramirez) because of insufficient evidence," Robison said.

Lorenzo and Ramirez, employees of the Money Pot Shabu Shabu restaurant, became involved in an argument with Berry as the teen was waiting for a friend who worked at a different restaurant in the strip mall, Arcadia police Lt. Tom Leveque said.

The argument led to a stabbing, and Berry was pronounced dead at an area hospital from his wound, police said.

Witnesses directed police to Lorenzo and Ramirez, who were initially detained as "persons of interest" before being arrested on suspicion of the slaying.

According to county booking records, Ramirez was released from custody Thursday afternoon.

Lorenzo was being held without bail due to an immigration hold, police said.

Lorenzo was due to be arraigned Thursday in Pasadena Superior Court.