Police investigate two reported stabbings near Taste of Soul festival

Police were investigating two reported stabbings near the Taste of Soul festival in Los Angeles on Saturday, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. One person was taken to a hospital with possible stab wounds.

A citywide tactical alert lasted several hours before police lifted it just after 9:30 p.m. Organizers said the police activity was outside the festival grounds and the event finished as scheduled.

The first report came around 2:45 p.m. near the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. Police said a fight involving a group of people preceded the stabbing.

At least one person was stabbed in that incident, police said. The victim and suspects left the scene, and the reason for the fight remained unclear.

Officers later responded to a separate stabbing report on the 4200 block of Crenshaw Boulevard near the festival. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it took one person to a hospital with possible stab wounds.

Police also confirmed receiving a call at 5:34 p.m. about a large group near the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Stocker Street in Leimert Park, according to ABC7.

Festival organizers said the police activity took place beyond the event grounds. They said operations continued without disruption and the festival ended as planned.

Authorities had not determined whether the two reported stabbings were connected. Both incidents remained under investigation, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.