Last man charged in 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke pleads guilty

The fourth and final person charged in connection with the 2020 killing of rising rap star Pop Smoke faces almost three decades in prison after pleading guilty to three counts this week, authorities said. Corey Walker, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of voluntary manslaughter and two counts of robbery, with firearm and gang enhancements, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped a murder charge against Walker. Walker is expected to be sentenced to 29 years during his next court hearing on Feb. 21. One of Walker’s attorneys, Deion A. Benjamin, said the evidence showed his client would have beaten the murder charge because he never intended to harm Pop Smoke. “We send our condolences to Pop Smoke’s family, friends and loved ones,” Benjamin said Thursday afternoon. “It’s an unfortunate event and everyone loses out, but my client did not want this murder to happen.” Benjamin said the plea deal was attractive because it meant Walker’s incarceration would end while his client was still relatively young. The district attorney’s office said it would not comment on a pending case.

Los Angeles Times

Husband in custody after woman found shot to death in Encino, police say

A woman was found shot to death in Encino Wednesday night, and her husband was taken into custody, police said. Officers responded to the 5100 block of Hesperia Avenue, two blocks south of Ventura Boulevard, after reports of a shooting around 7:30 p.m. Police told Eyewitness News the woman was found with a gunshot wound to her head in the middle of the street. The woman, who was identified only as a female in her late 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 65-year-old husband was taken into custody, though his identity was also not immediately released. LAPD Lt. Guy Golan said the shooting was an isolated incident of domestic violence. Investigators haven't revealed what led up to the shooting, but neighbors say it happened right in front of a synagogue that's nestled in the middle of the neighborhood, which is run out of a house. LAPD hasn't said if or how the couple is connected to the synagogue.

ABC 7

LA County DA charges 24-year-old man in death of UCLA activist

Los Angeles County prosecutors on Wednesday charged a 24-year-old man accused of stabbing a local community organizer to death in late January. Investigators said that James Joshua Lopez 24, stabbed recent UCLA graduate Amanda Torres, 28, after she intervened during a brawl in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said Torres was trying to protect her brother after a group of men attacked him. "This horrific and senseless act of violence took the life of a young woman who dedicated herself to making her community better," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. "Amanda Torres was a bright, compassionate leader with limitless potential, and our hearts break for her family, friends, and everyone whose lives she touched." Lopez faces one count of murder with a special allegation. He faces up to 26 years to life in prison if he's convicted as charged. His bail has been set at $2.02 million. Lopez's arraignment was scheduled for March 3.

CBS 2

Pedestrian dragged by vehicle, killed in hit-and-run crash in L.A.

A suspect remains at large after a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run crash in the Arlington Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. The crash occurred on Jan. 29 at around 9 p.m. as the male victim crossed Venice Boulevard near St. Andrews Place within a marked crosswalk, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. That’s when the suspect, who was traveling westbound on Venice Boulevard, struck the victim. The violent impact pushed the person’s body underneath the vehicle, police said. The victim was dragged underneath until the next street before he was dislodged and the suspect sped away, leaving the pedestrian lying on the road. Paramedics responded to the crash and transported the victim to a local hospital where, despite life-saving measures, he later died. The suspect’s car is described as a light-colored SUV or crossover vehicle. Police did not provide a physical description of the person. The victim was only described as a male. No further details were released. His name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

KTLA 5

At least 27 people charged with arson in recent cases, LA DA says

While firefighters were stretched thin fighting the massive Palisades, Eaton, Hughes, and Hurst fires in Los Angeles County, several small fires were intentionally set by people, according to the LA County DA's Office. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said 27 people have been charged in recent fire-related cases. On Thursday, a 41-year-old man was charged with felony arson in connection with a Feb. 3 brush fire near the Chatsworth Reservoir. Alejandro Martinez faces one count of felony arson of a structure or forest; and one count of felony attempt to burn. He also faces an aggravated circumstance of increasing seriousness of prior convictions. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months in prison. According to the DA's office, around 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, a group of residents apprehended Martinez when they saw him igniting a fire. Residents held him until law enforcement arrived and arrested him. 

FOX 11

Los Angeles man charged in $13,000 EBT fraud scheme

A 27-year-old man has been charged with stealing thousands of dollars in California public assistance benefits using fraudulent Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards at a Lancaster ATM, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced Thursday morning. The suspect, Ioannis Alecsopoulos, was apprehended on Feb. 1 during an undercover operation. Authorities allege that Alecsopoulos withdrew over $4,000 and attempted to withdraw more than $13,000 using nine different EBT cards. Investigators say he used electronic skimming devices to steal EBT account information, which allowed him to fraudulently access funds. During the arrest, law enforcement recovered multiple tools associated with EBT skimming operations, including nine skimming devices, 94 re-encoded gift cards, and eight pinhole cameras, according to authorities. Alecsopoulos was arraigned on Feb. 4, with bail set at $500,000. He has been charged with 10 counts of felony identity theft, three counts of felony grand theft, and one misdemeanor charge of obstructing a law enforcement officer. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in state prison. It was not immediately clear whether he was an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

NBC 4

Nevada officer killed in shootout with suspect who pointed gun at bystander

A North Las Vegas police officer was shot and killed Tuesday. The person who shot the officer was also killed when the officer fired back despite being shot several times, police said. “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of one of North Las Vegas’ finest,” North Las Vegas Police Department Chief Jacqueline Gravatt said. “Police officers choose this line of work because they want to protect and serve the community, knowing the risks and challenges that come with the badge. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officer’s family, friends and his brotherhood in blue.” According to a North Las Vegas police news release, officers responded just before 2:15 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a person pointing a gun at another person in the 4700 block of High Creek Drive , near Lone Mountain Road and Camino Al Norte. When officers arrived, he “ignored their commands” and fled, police said. An officer located the person, who was armed with a handgun, and ordered him to show his hands, the news release said.

Las Vegas Review-Journal

BWC: 16-year-old tells dispatchers he killed 2 people, stabs responding Virginia officer

A 16-year-old called 911 to falsely report himself for killing two people, then he stabbed a responding officer in Virginia , police said. The caller complained to the dispatch center about traffic and killing two people, but when officers responded to the reported incident just after 2:30 p.m. Feb. 3 , a 16-year-old ran at them with a knife, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said in a Feb. 4 news conference. The teen stabbed a responding officer — a six-year veteran whose name was not revealed — in the upper body before he was taken into custody, police video shows. The officer was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He “sustained a laceration to the left side of his rib cage” and has since been released from the hospital, Major Elizabeth Melendez said in the news conference. Police said the teen’s comments about killing people while on call with 911 were untrue. “The police department has had interactions with him in the past, but because he is a juvenile I can’t go into the specifics of that,” Melendez said.

Merced Sun-Star

City of LA launches online wildfire relief tool to create recovery plans

The LA Disaster Relief Navigator, a new online tool to help LA fire victims, launched Wednesday in an effort to give residents tailored resources and plans for recovery. Mayor Bass and the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles partnered with Better Angels and Imagine LA to create the relief navigator, which can be found on the Better Angels website. “Angelenos are continuing to navigate grief and shock. My commitment is to do everything we can to get people the help they need as conveniently as possible,” Mayor Bass said. “The Disaster Recovery Centers have already helped more than 5,000 families get help in person, and now the LA Disaster Relief Navigator will help Angelenos get help wherever they are.” The tool asks questions to help create a personalized action plan including government programs, insurance assistance, home damage remediation, temporary and permanent housing solutions, cash grants and valuable local community services. "This important online tool helps Angelenos impacted by the wildfires, including people who are now facing job and income losses, access the many services available to them," said Conway Collis, President and CEO of the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles.

NBC 4

Los Angeles health department advises on wildfire soot and ash cleanup

As the Los Angeles wildfires brought massive destruction, the aftermath continues with not only clearing debris and rebuilding efforts, as well as raising health concerns about hazardous toxins, soot, and ash -- and how to clean it all up. "I know that returning home after a fire can be overwhelming and this is compounded by the fact that there are potential health risks in the affected areas," Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, said. The ash could contain lead, asbestos, arsenic, heavy metals as well as newer synthetic materials. Ferrer said these materials pose health risks, especially to children, older adults and those with respiratory conditions. "Even if your home wasn't directly damaged, exposure to fine particles from the surrounding area can still affect indoor air quality and personal health," she said. 

CBS 2

Councilwoman Traci Park Pushes Back Against EPA’s Plan to Use Will Rogers State Beach for Hazardous Waste

Councilwoman Traci Park is pushing back after learning that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to use the parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach as a temporary site for household hazardous materials collected from properties damaged by the Palisades Fire. In an announcement Wednesday, the EPA said it is working with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, California State Parks, and the city and county of Los Angeles to assist in the safe removal of hazardous materials. The agency said the move is intended to speed up debris removal and allow residents to rebuild their homes faster. Park, who represents the Westside of Los Angeles, voiced strong concerns over the decision, particularly its environmental risks.

Westside Current

City Council to Address LA’s Street Vending Permit Process

The City Council Wednesday called for a report to examine current street vending permitting processes and ways to improve compliance with city and county regulations. In a unanimous vote, council members instructed the Bureau of Street Services, Economic and Workforce Development Department and Chief Legislative Analyst to work with the county to produce the report. The move comes after the city was forced to change its laws to eliminate so-called “no street vending zones.” In 2022, street vendors Merlín Alvarado and Ruth Monroy, along with three community organizations — Community Power Collective, East LA Community Corporation and Inclusive Action for the City — sued the city, challenging a number of regulations in its street vending laws, which they claim violated SB 946, a 2018 state law that legalized sidewalk vending statewide.

MyNewsLA

LA Council to Explore Fare-Free DASH Services

The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday called for a report that will look into the possibility of providing free transit on its DASH bus service in the next fiscal year. In a unanimous vote, council members instructed the city’s Department of Transportation to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of its DASH fare collection. The LADOT will examine the costs of TAP hardware, fare enforcement programs and administrative work associated with fare collection to see whether the city could get by without charging riders. Councilwoman Heather Hutt, chair of the Transportation Committee, introduced a motion calling for the report on Dec. 13, which her colleagues Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez seconded. DASH provides bus service in downtown Los Angeles and 27 neighborhoods across the city. Buses in each route are designed to travel within their respective neighborhood and connect to other regional transit services such as Metro Rapid and local routes, Metrolink and Metro rail lines.

MyNewsLA

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,900 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.