Search Continues for Cerritos Stabbing Suspect; Suspect Photo Released

Editor’s Note: Sheriff’s detectives have updated the suspect’s description since the stabbing. Initially the man was described as having blonde hair, the suspect photo shows he actually has dark hair. to see video and additional photos from the crime scene.

Sheriff’s deputies continued their search today for a 32-year-old man who allegedly stabbed and wounded another man in the back during an argument over cardboard in the garage of a Cerritos home last weekend.

Brent Stanton Philhower -- a known transient in the Cerritos, Bellflower and Lakewood areas -- is accused of attacking an acquaintance – also a transient -- with a switchblade knife on Sunday, Aug. 14, according to detectives. 

Sheriff’s deputies spent the past couple days extensively searching areas that Philhower is known to frequent, including nearby riverbeds, but have yet to locate him, Lt. G. Deedrick of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Cerritos Station told Patch.

A photo of the suspect was released late Wednesday night in hopes of nabbing the man, who is white, 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He has dark hair, and blue or green eyes, and was last seen wearing a black shirt, black jeans and possibly has tattoos on his arms, according to detectives.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call sheriff's Det. C. Aguirre at (562) 860-0044.

According to Deedrick, the suspect and the victim were recycling cardboard in the garage of a home at 18302 Vickie Ave. just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday when the pair began arguing, at which point, Philhower pushed down the victim and stabbed him in the back with a small knife. The two were "either friends or friendly to each other" prior to the fight, the lieutenant added.

The wounded victim was treated at a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition following the attack, the Sheriff’s Department reported.

The Sunday afternoon scuffle shocked residents in the normally quiet neighborhood, drawing some to stop and take a look at the bloody trail spanning from the home’s front door to the sidewalk. Blood stained clothing was also found on the street near the curb in front of the cordoned off residence.

"What is going on?" several residents asked as they walked or drove by the home. Some neighbors told Patch that the same home had burned down about two years ago and had since been rebuilt. It is currently one of the few two-story homes on that street.