A student at the University of Southern California (USC) is under arrest for suspicion of murder after he confronted a homeless man breaking into his car, according to a report from ABC7. 

Ivan Gallegos, a 19-year-old sophomore, and two friends confronted a homeless man who was reportedly breaking into cars, including the car of Gallegos. Gallegos allegedly stabbed the homeless man for breaking into his car and the homeless man was reported dead on the scene. 

Gallegos claims that the homeless man was armed, which led him to engage in self-defense. The police say that no firearm was recovered from the scene. 

Gallegos is a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and studies business administration and management at USC’s Marshall School of Business. Per the student’s LinkedIn profile, he worked as a volunteer at the “Gang Reduction Youth Program,” a nonprofit aimed at reducing gang involvement among Los Angeles teens. 

According to USC’s Annenberg Media, Gallegos had a challenging upbringing. The media school featured Gallegos’ story as both his parents were involved in gang activities and were intermittently incarcerated. 

“Despite growing up in an environment saturated with drugs, gangs, and prostitution, [Gallegos] focused on music and sharpened his skills to become a multifaceted instrument and vocalist,” the Annenberg Media report reads.  

The 19-year-old is being held on a $2 million bail. Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has yet to bring charges against the student. 

In a tweet on the matter, Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk said, “Los Angeles officials let criminals prey on the public with impunity, and reserve maximum force for anybody who tries to defend themselves.” 

“That’s anarcho-tyranny in a nutshell,” Kirk said. 

Gallegos’ story is eerily similar to the story of 61-year-old bodega clerk Jose Alba. Alba fatally stabbed a 35-year-old man who attempted to attack him. Alba was arrested and locked up in Rikers on second-degree murder charges, according to the New York Post. Following an outpour of support from the city and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Alba was released. 

This piece first appeared at TPUSA.