Good morning! On April 15, 2023, Officer B. Jerry Sandoval was killed in a traffic collision. Please consider donating to the Blue-Ribbon account established for Jerry to support his wife, Christine and twin sons, Logan and Jacob. Click here for more details.

Man Shot And Killed In Downtown Los Angeles Near Union Station

A man was killed in a shooting near Union Station in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday morning. Police responded to a shots fire call around 1:27 a.m. to Cesar Chavez Avenue and Alameda Street. When authorities arrived to the scene they found a man in his 40s suffering from gunshots wounds, according the Los Angeles Police Department. Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department took the victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. There was no suspect description. LAPD is investigating the incident.

CBS 2

Man Shot In The Face At Dockweiler Beach 

A man was shot in the mouth at Dockweiler Beach Saturday night, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers responded to the call of shots fired at around 10 p.m. on the 11400 block of Vista del Mar. The victim, a man in his 20s, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Police said the man did not provide any information to the officers. There was a large number of people around when the shooting happened, the LAPD said, but no suspect had been arrested as of Sunday evening.

NBC 4

Investigators Seek Victims Of ‘Serial’ Rapist, Abuser, LAPD Says

The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for additional victims of a man they classified as a “serial” domestic and sexual assailant. Terrance Hawkins, 41, was arrested in downtown Los Angeles in April and booked on a no-bail warrant for “multiple counts of forcible rape, intimate partner violence, and stalking,” police said in a news release. Hawkins, an Angeleno, “has a long history of briefly dating women, abusing them, and filming them during sexual intercourse,” police added. He is being held at Men’s Central Jail and is due to appear in Los Angeles Municipal Court on July 24, according to jail records. Anyone with information about additional victims is asked to contact Officer J. Roman at 213-709-9017. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).

KTLA 5

Hate Crime Investigation Underway In Pacific Palisades After Pride Lifeguard Towers Defaced

The Los Angeles Police Department has launched a hate crime investigation after two lifeguard towers that were painted in honor of Pride Month were vandalized at Ginger Rogers Beach in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Vandals carved into the shutters and shattered the windows of the towers, which were painted in Progress Pride colors. The crime happened less than 48 hours after the towers were unveiled. The towers symbolize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Residents and tourists said they're disappointed with this act of destruction. "It is very sad, especially coming from Ohio, you know, in hearing all the great things about California ... how accepting the state is," said tourist Liz Watson. Los Angeles County unveiled the lifeguard towers to recognize Ginger Rogers Beach and how it's always been a safe space for LGBTQ+ residents, with activism work dating back to the 1940s. Artist Kathrine Bingley of East Hollywood was commissioned to paint the towers.

ABC 7

Video: Larchmont Boba Tea Shop Broken Into, Suspect On The Loose 

A boba tea shop in Larchmont was broken into early Sunday morning, and the suspect remains on the loose. According to the LAPD, officers received a call shortly before 11 a.m. regarding a burglary that occurred in the 100 block of Larchmont Boulevard. The owner of the shop said the break-in had occurred around 10 hours previously – around 1 a.m. Sunday morning – and that it was the second break-in he’s endured in the past few months. Video shows the suspect enter the store through the back entrance and proceed towards the front of the store through the kitchen. Once in the front, the thief begins to ransack the area surrounding the cash register, before grabbing what appears to be several electronic devices and running out of the store through the back door. Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department are handling the investigation.

KTLA 5

Possible Arson Involved As Three Young Kids Narrowly Escape RV Fire In Venice

A family of six narrowly escaped death when their RV went up in flames Friday afternoon on Lake Street off Lincoln Blvd near Ralph’s in Venice Beach. Three young children, ages 3, 6, 12 along with their 36-year-old mother were able to exit the burning RV without injury, while the father who allegedly set the van on fire fled the scene. Another child, age 14, had left the van minutes earlier looking for help after telling bystanders that his father was threatening to kill his mother. Prior to the fire, eyewitness Jenny Shurley told Westside Current that she could hear a couple arguing inside the RV. ‘It was scary. The man was yelling loudly and I could hear children crying. A young boy exited the RV and quickly ran to a nearby shop pleading for help. He said his father had threatened to kill his mother.’ Multiple eyewitness claim the boy was worried his father was going to set the RV on fire with canister full of gas. Consequently, an empty canister could be seen near the destroyed van. ‘While the boy was asking for help, the RV caught on fire and when he returned, his entire family was nowhere to be found while he watched his home go up in smoke.’

Westside Current

Police Seeking Public Help Finding Missing 65-Year-Old

Police sought the public's help Monday to find a missing 67-year-old man with poor mental health who was last seen in the Del Rey area. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Johnnie Cortez was last seen walking in the 12700 block of Walsh Avenue, near Culver Blvd., at around 9 a.m. last Tuesday. Cortez was described as Hispanic, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds, with brown eyes, police said. He is bald. Cortez was last seen wearing blue jeans and green shoes. Anyone with information regarding Cortez's whereabouts was urged to call Detective Support and Vice Division Detective Oscar Cansino at 213-996- 1808. Tipsters who choose to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be made to 877- 527-3247.

Westside Current

1,400 Pounds Of Meth, 40 Guns Seized After County-Wide Operation In San Bernardino

San Bernardino deputies seized more than 1,400 pounds of methamphetamine and dozens of guns after a county-wide operation aimed at suppressing crime. For a week, law enforcement raided several locations spread throughout the High Desert as part of Operation Consequences. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Department served 10 search warrants in eight different cities. The deputies partnered with the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Homeland Security to carry out this series of raids. During Operation Consequences, investigators seized over 1,400 pounds of meth and 40 guns, four of which were ghost guns. They also arrested nine felony suspects. According to the sheriff's department, the operation will continue over the next several months to curb violent crime, disrupt and dismantle targeted criminal street gangs. Deputies also aim to locate and arrest criminals who are illegally possessing, manufacturing and trafficking firearms.  

CBS 2

'I'm Banged Up': Video Shows Suspect’s Vehicle Dragging Ohio Officer While Fleeing Traffic Stop

A police officer was injured early Sunday morning when he was dragged by a vehicle that fled from a traffic stop, Solon police say. According to police, Officer James Cervik, 57, stopped a black 2015 Nissan Altima on U.S. 422 just before 2 a.m. Sunday because the Nissan reportedly had been going 88 mph in a 60 mph zone. When Cervik approached the car, he could smell marijuana. Cervik spent more than four minutes trying to convince the male driver to get out of the car, but the driver refused, police say. The driver then told Cervik he had a firearm inside the vehicle, police say. Cervik tried to pull the suspect from the car, but the man drove off, dragging Cervik a short distance, police say. He was treated and released at a hospital. Another officer later spotted the Nissan exiting onto Harper Road but had to stop a brief pursuit after the suspect’s vehicle exceeded 100 mph. The car was last seen heading south on Cochran Road. Police say they have issued an arrest warrant for Termaine Tyrone Jackson, 27, of Twinsburg, on charges of assault on a peace officer, obstructing official business, and fleeing and eluding. Anyone with information can contact police at 440-248-1234.

PoliceOne

'I'm Taking Shots': Video Shows Gunfire Exchange Between California Officer, Fleeing Suspect

Modesto Police released video from a June 3 incident in which an officer exchanged gunfire with a fleeing suspect. Video from Officer Raihil Sharma's body camera and the dash camera of his patrol car, as well as from the department's new airplane, captured how the incident unfolded. Sharma, a nearly two-year veteran, pulled over Gordon Massey on his bicycle just after 10 p.m. in the area of Phoenix and Glendale avenues. The video does not say why Massey was pulled over and a department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment Saturday morning. Chief Brandon Gillespie, who provides narration during the 16-minute edited video, said Massey was initially cooperative with Sharma. But as Sharma ran his name on the patrol car computer and learned he had warrants for DUI and drug offenses, Massey rode away and Sharma drove after him. Sharma followed Massey for about a minute, through a nearby shopping center, then into an adjacent neighborhood, where Massey allegedly fired three shots at Sharma. Sharma notified dispatch, "I'm taking shots," then gave a description of Massey, who allegedly fired two more rounds at him.

Modesto Bee

Small Dog Rescued From Storm Drain In Avocado Heights

With the help of five hot dogs, some bacon and some dog treats, a small dog was rescued after it fell into a storm drain in Avocado Heights on Friday. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the call at around 3:48 p.m. on the 1500 block of Delamare Drive in Avocado Heights, a city near South El Monte and City of Industry. Firefighters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were able to pull the pup out from the storm drain after a few hours. The dog was in about eight to 10 feet down the narrow storm drain, according to Jason Mendoza with the County Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, they removed the manhole cover and tried to lure it out with some food, Mendoza said. Mendoza said every time he tried to go down and grab the dog, or when they’d put a rope down the storm drain, the dog would become frightened and run further into the tunnel. It wasn't until fire personnel went to another manhole and made noise to drive the dog towards the other opening where firefighters were waiting to hoist it out.

NBC 4

LAFD Contains Brusher In Elysian Park

Firefighters contained a small fire Sunday that charred about two acres of brush in Elysian Park. The blaze began at 1381 Broadway around 2:55 p.m. and burned uphill, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. The department dispatched 48 firefighters to the scene. The flames were contained in 51 minutes, Stewart said. No injuries were reported and the radio tower in the area was successfully defended, she said. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.

MyNewsLA

Six Sickened, One Taken To Hospital Due To Unidentified Odor At Sherman Oaks Galleria

One person was taken to the hospital and five others suffered minor symptoms from an irritant in the air Monday at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. Firefighters responded to complaints of an odor at the shopping mall around 9:15 a.m. Six people described having watery eyes and a scratchy throat, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department alert. Fire officials did not disclose if the victims were shoppers or mall employees. One person was transported to a hospital; the other five declined after being assessed by paramedics. Los Angeles Fire Department hazardous materials specialists tested the building and were not able to identify the source of the odor, according to the alert. “Initial readings are not showing any significant hazard, but the irritant has yet to be positively identified,” the alert said. Tests for flammable and toxic irritants came back negative. The odor is believed to have been caused by a cleaning product, according to LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange. 

Los Angeles Times

Malaria Cases In Florida And Texas Are First Locally Acquired Infections In U.S. In 20 Years, CDC Warns

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday warned of the return of locally acquired cases of malaria, meaning the infections were not linked to foreign travel and appear to have been transmitted by mosquitoes in the U.S. carrying the parasite. So far, there have been four locally acquired cases of malaria in Florida and one in Texas within the last two months. There's no evidence suggesting the cases in the two states are connected. "Malaria is a medical emergency and should be treated accordingly," the CDC wrote in a Health Alert Network Health Advisory. "Patients suspected of having malaria should be urgently evaluated in a facility that is able to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment, within 24 hours of presentation." Each year, around 2,000 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the U.S., but they're usually connected to people who've traveled out of the country. "Despite certification of malaria eradication" in the U.S. in 1970, "small outbreaks of locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria continue to occur," the CDC wrote in 2003.

CBS 2

Last Day To Vote In LA's Council District 6 Special Election After Nury Maritnez's Resignation

The deadline is Tuesday to cast a ballot in the special election between Imelda Padilla and Marisa Alcaraz to fill the Sixth District City Council seat vacated when former Council President Nury Martinez resigned. Padilla, a community relations manager, led the seven-candidate field in the first round of voting April 4 with 25.65% of the vote but fell short of a majority, necessitating a runoff against Alcaraz, a City Council aide, who was second with 21.13%. Padilla has pledged to prioritize "an immediate solution to the unhoused crisis because what is currently occurring is not working." "I will propose an emergency remediation of encampments, connecting the unhoused population to essential services that will support them in finding housing, employment, and health services," Padilla said on her campaign's website. "I will work cohesively with all stakeholders, residents, non-profits organizations, religious leaders, business owners and health organizations to develop and implement sensible hyper-local solutions that make our communities safer, sanitary, and sustainable."

ABC 7

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 9,200 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.