A transient who stabbed another man to death during a fight over $20 on Feb. 17 near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue will not be charged because authorities deemed the incident self defense.

No charges were filed after a stabbing occurred at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue on Feb. 17. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The stabbing occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. and was recorded by surveillance video. Police arrested David Brooks, 31, for allegedly stabbing the other man, who was identified as Darren Little, 43. Authorities described Brooks as a transient who frequents the area around Hollywood Boulevard and said Little lived in an apartment in Hollywood and was in the process of being evicted.

Det. Scott Masterson, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Unit, said Brooks owed $20 to Little. Investigators learned about the debt during interviews with friends of the two men who were present when the fight occurred, Masterson added.

The detective said the surveillance video shows Little wielding a metal steering wheel locking device. He confronted Brooks and struck him with the locking device. The two men fell to the ground while fighting, at which time Brooks allegedly stabbed Little multiple times.

Little stood up and walked a short distance before collapsing. Paramedics took him to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

“It’s a tragedy,” Masterson said. “It was all over $20.”

Masterson added that Little was identified as the aggressor in the incident and he was physically larger than Brooks. The detective said Little was 6-foot-6 inches tall and 250 pounds, while Brooks is 5-foot-6 inches tall and 130 pounds.

“The D.A.’s office felt he pulled the knife after being confronted and that it was a reasonable act. There was quite a size disparity,” Masterson said. “We talked to four witnesses and reviewed video of the incident and it was determined to be self defense.”

Masterson said officers recovered the knife and arrested Brooks, but he was released last Friday after the district attorney’s office declined to file charges. He added that although it is illegal to carry a concealed knife, police are not pursuing any further charges against Brooks.

Anyone with further information is asked to call detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Unit at (213)382-9470.