Canadian Man Charged In Brother-In-Law's Stabbing Death In SGV

POMONA, CA — A Canadian resident accused in the stabbing death of his brother-in-law in the parking lot of an El Monte bowling alley was charged Tuesday with capital murder.

Loi Vi Tran, 40, of Calgary, was ordered held without bail while awaiting arraignment Oct. 17 at the Pomona courthouse in connection with the weekend slaying of Stephen Tran, 45, of El Monte.

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder by means of lying in wait, along with an allegation that he personally used a kitchen knife in the commission of the crime.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against the defendant.

Tran -- who was visiting Southern California from Canada -- allegedly stabbed his brother-in-law several times in the chest after an exchange of words at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday following a family bowling trip for which the defendant had paid, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Loi Tran was detained soon after the stabbing in the 10500 block of Lower Azusa Road, according to the sheriff's department, which reported that a weapon was recovered at the scene.

The victim died at a hospital of multiple stab wounds to his upper body, authorities said.

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