Family Sues City Of Downey For $40 Million After Scientist Killed While Charging His Tesla

The family of a California scientist who was stabbed to death outside a public library while charging his Tesla has filed a $40 million claim against the city of Downey, alleging failures that they say contributed to the circumstances surrounding his death, as reported by The New York Post.

Reinaldo Jesus LeFonts, 68, was attacked in September while parked outside the Downey City Library, according to police and court records.

Investigators say LeFonts was charging his Tesla when Giovanni Navarro allegedly stabbed him.

Here’s What They’re Not Telling You About Your Retirement

Navarro, who police said had a criminal history involving 28 prior crimes, was arrested and later charged with murder, along with a special allegation of using a weapon to commit the offense.

#new Father charging Tesla in California was stabbed and k*lled by a homeless man#california
Reinaldo Jesus Lefonts, 68, was charging his Tesla at an EV station outside the Downey City Library when he was stabbed to Death In Gavin Newsom’s California
2nd homeless man then hops… pic.twitter.com/kP0ishD85W

— A Man Of Memes (@RickyDoggin) March 9, 2026

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene following the stabbing. However, the situation quickly became more chaotic when another individual reportedly stole the ambulance that had arrived to assist the victim.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Authorities identified the man who allegedly took the ambulance as Nicholas DeMarco, who was described as a homeless man. Police say DeMarco drove away in the emergency vehicle, triggering a high-speed pursuit.

The chase ended when DeMarco crashed the ambulance. Meanwhile, LeFonts succumbed to the stab wounds he suffered during the attack and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s family has now filed a claim seeking $40 million in damages from the city, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the incident prevented LeFonts from receiving the medical care he needed.

“In that moment, every second mattered. The City’s paramedics and rescue vehicle were Reinaldo’s only realistic chance of survival,” the family’s claim states, according to The OC Register.

The lawsuit also highlights crime concerns around the location where the attack occurred. According to the filing, the area surrounding the Downey City Library has generated more than 670 calls for service during a three-year period.

Those calls reportedly involved incidents including assaults, robberies, sex crimes, arson, theft, and narcotics violations.

The claim also notes that a police officer was fatally shot in the same parking lot in 2015, years before the stabbing that took LeFonts’ life.

According to the filing, Navarro had been arrested for trespassing in the same area less than 24 hours before the fatal attack.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.