Homeless man wanted for murder allegedly stabs woman in downtown Los Angeles

A woman was rushed to a hospital after she was stabbed in the neck in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

The incident was reported in the area of Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street, adjacent to Grand Hope Park, at 10:15 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim, identified only as a 70-year-old woman, was stabbed in the neck by a man while she was walking down a sidewalk, police said. He popped out from behind a wall or a gate before stabbing her.

"We have an unknown motive at this time," Capt. Kelly Muniz said. 

The man fled the scene before first responders arrived and was seen entering an apartment complex on foot. 

According to the LAPD, the possible suspect was later taken into custody at the Central Library. Muniz said investigators tracked the suspect's movement through a series of security cameras in the area and received help from public transit officials.

"There was no fight. The suspect complied," Muniz said.

LAPD identified the suspect as 39-year-old Kenneth Gibson. They said he was homeless. Jail records show that he was booked with attempted murder. Gibson was also wanted for a homicide that happened last year along the 110 Freeway in downtown LA, according to a law enforcement bulletin a source provided to CBS LA.

The bulletin also stated that Gibson had an outstanding parole warrant. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, the woman remains hospitalized in serious condition.

It's not yet clear what led up to the stabbing or what weapon was used.

Aerial images showed a police presence on Hope as of 10:55 a.m.

No additional details were immediately made available.