A verbal dispute between two transients escalated into a fatal stabbing on Tuesday in the parking lot at Pla-Boy Liquor in Hollywood, according to police.

LAPD detectives conduct their investigation at Pla-Boy Liquor. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

At approximately 11:25 a.m., officers with LAPD’s Hollywood Division responded to the 6400 block of Yucca Street after receiving a report that a man had been stabbed. Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department transported the unidentified victim to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to police, the victim had been stabbed in the upper torso by Lowell Taylor, who was apprehended near the scene shortly after the incident.

Lt. Marc Reina said the two men were standing in line for the recycling center in the parking lot behind the liquor store. He said the men had a verbal dispute for an unknown reason.

Additional people were near the recycling center at the time of the crime, but there were no other injuries. An employee of Pla-Boy Liquor said the staff did not notice a disturbance until a woman ran into the store and told them to call police.

Reina said that as far as he knows, the stabbing was the first major incident the LAPD has responded to at the recycling center.

“We’ve had calls here before for different types of disturbances, but nothing so serious,” he said.

Taylor was booked on Tuesday, and will likely face murder charges.

Anyone with information about the crime is advised to contact West Bureau Homicide detectives at (213)382-9470. During non-business hours or weekends, calls can be directed to (877)LAPD-247. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477.