Feds charge 12 in alleged violence, attacks on police during immigration protests

Federal prosecutors announced charges Wednesday against 12 people who allegedly impeded officers or engaged in violence during demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The charges, some part of an effort dubbed “Operation Bridge Too Far” by federal authorities, largely centered on demonstrations that erupted on a freeway overpass near an immigration detention center in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, the first day the National Guard was deployed to the city. What started as a small, peaceful protest on Alameda Street exploded into a series of tense clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. After National Guard members and U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials used tear gas and smoke bombs to try to disperse a crowd outside the detention center, more protesters flooded the area. A number of Waymo self-driving vehicles were set on fire near Olivera Street, and a group of California Highway Patrol officers on the 101 Freeway were pelted with items from protesters on the overpass above. At times, they returned fire with less-lethal rounds and tear gas. At least one protester had previously been charged in state court with throwing a flaming item at a CHP vehicle from the overpass.

Los Angeles Times

Hollywood producer gets 146 years to life for drug overdose deaths of LA model, her friend

A Hollywood producer who was convicted of first-degree murder for the drug overdose deaths of a model and her friend, along with charges that he sexually assaulted seven other women, was sentenced Wednesday to 146 years to life in prison. Jurors deliberated about 2 1/2 days before finding David Brian Pearce, now 43, guilty Feb. 4 of the two murder charges stemming from the deaths of 24-year-old model and aspiring actress Christy Giles and her 26-year-old friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, who were taken to separate Southland hospitals about two hours apart on Nov. 13, 2021. Giles was already dead when she was taken to Southern California Hospital in Culver City, while Cabrales-Arzola, an architect, was alive outside Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Hospital but in critical condition. Her family took her off life support later that month, a day before her 27th birthday. The seven-man, five-woman jury also found Pearce guilty of three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration by use of force and one count each of rape of an unconscious person and sodomy by use of force -- with all of the sexual assault charges involving crimes against seven women between 2007 and 2020.

ABC 7

Shooting at Abandoned Building Near KTown Leaves One Wounded

A man who was shot at an abandoned, two-story building near Koreatown was hospitalized and the suspect is at large, police said Wednesday. Officers from Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Division were called at approximately 9:23 p.m. Tuesday to the 100 block of South Mariposa Avenue, south of First Street, an LAPD officer told City News Service. The victim told the officers he was wounded when an unknown suspect fired several shot through one of the building’s doors, striking the victim in the leg, police said. The officers searched the building, but did not locate the suspect. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took the victim to a hospital in stable condition.

MyNewsLA

Police in pursuit of carjacking suspects in LA County

LAPD officers were in pursuit of carjacking suspects Wednesday driving recklessly through Los Angeles County. The chase began around 6:45 p.m. near Compton after the suspects were linked to a previous pursuit, according to police. Several police cars were trailing behind the driver of a White Toyota Camry as they sped through surface streets near the 10 Freeway. The vehicle has multiple near misses while driving on the wrong side of Washington Boulevard in the area of Mid City. At least three people were inside the vehicle during the chase, according to police. The vehicle made its way into South Los Angeles, avoiding several spike strip attempts before hopping on the southbound 110 Freeway. The chase ended near Hooper Avenue and E 114th Street after the suspects abandoned the vehicle. It's unclear if any arrests were made. 

NBC 4

Pedestrian struck and killed on the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles

Traffic is backed up for the Thursday morning commute on the 110 Freeway at Manchester Avenue in South Los Angeles as a pedestrian was struck and killed. The California Highway Patrol reported that the crash happened around 5:53 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway. Three left lanes of the northbound 110 Freeway are closed, and a SigAlert was issued. Traffic in both directions is slowed. 

CBS 2

Teen still sought over a year after going missing from View Park neighborhood of Los Angeles 

A teenager who went missing in Los Angeles over a year ago has still yet to be found. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Shian Antoinette Robertson was 17 when she was last seen in the View Park neighborhood on Oct. 10, 2024. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are “unknown,” NCMEC said in a statement to KTLA. Per NCMEC, Shian, who is now 18, might be somewhere in the greater Los Angeles area, specifically “in the vicinity of Figueroa Street.” She also has ties to the Antelope Valley, namely Lancaster, the organization says. She also has ties to the Antelope Valley, namely Lancaster, the organization says. Shian is described as standing 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 118 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair, but according to officials, she sometimes colors it and occasionally covers it with a wig. Anyone with information on her disappearance and/or whereabouts should contact the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department: 310-482-6000. 

KTLA 5

7-year-old found dead at Lynwood apartment complex; parents and grandmother arrested

A homicide investigation was underway in Lynwood after a 7-year-old child was found dead inside an apartment complex. Authorities have arrested the child's parents and grandmother as the investigation developed. Deputies were called to conduct a welfare check in the 3100 block of Euclid Avenue at around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday after learning about a "deceased child in an apartment," said a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Upon arrival, they entered the apartment and found the child, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. "The victim's mother, father, and grandmother were detained at the scene by deputies," the release said. "Three additional children were also at the location." As their investigation continued, LASD detectives gathered enough information to arrest the child's mother, 25-year-old Destiny Harrison, for the alleged murder of her child, the release said. The child's father, 25-year-old Daniel Monzon, and grandmother, 46-year-old Ana Zarceno-Carcamo, were also arrested for alleged conspiracy to commit murder. 

CBS 2

Southern California teacher arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing multiple children, officials say

A Southern California teacher was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing multiple children and authorities say there could be more victims. On Oct. 8, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigated a tip that child sexual abuse material had been downloaded in the county and that it had happened somewhere near the city of Colton, the sheriff’s department announced in a news release. Detectives identified Bemis Elementary School teacher Steve Paul Perry Popper, 47, of Colton, as the suspect. During the investigation, detectives found evidence of child sexual abuse involving at least four minors, according to the release. Officials didn’t specify what the evidence was or if the minors were students at his school. Popper was placed on administrative leave once Rialto Unified School District officials learned about the allegation from the sheriff’s department, according to district spokesperson Syeda Jafri. The district then accepted his resignation. “The District is deeply disturbed by these serious allegations and will always continue to ensure the safety of students as its main priority,” according to a district statement. “Human Resources is cooperating and continuing to work with law enforcement.”

Los Angeles Times

Georigia officer stops sword-wielding man who severed firefighter’s hand

A Georgia firefighter is recovering after he was ambushed and severely injured in a sword attack outside a gas station, authorities said. The incident occurred around midnight on Oct. 27 outside the SideTrack convenience store on East College Street. Wrightsville Police Officer Jay Hood was speaking with his friend, Firefighter Chad Wombles, when a man identified as Diamond Daspin Seltzer, 32, approached them with a sword and began swinging it without warning, according to a GoFundMe created for Wombles. Wrightsville Police said the attack posed “an immediate and imminent threat” to both men. In defense of himself and Wombles, Hood opened fire, striking the assailant multiple times. Seltzer was taken to a hospital in Dublin, where he later died, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Wombles was transported to a medical facility in a patrol vehicle by a deputy. Wombles sustained severe injuries during the assault. The GoFundMe created by friends describes how Wombles’ right hand was completely severed and the thumb of his left hand was also cut off by the sword. The campaign, titled “Help Chad Wombles, a true American hero and friend,” says he now faces months of recovery and therapy.

PoliceOne

‘Touch me and you’ll die’: Man hurls bricks at Oklahoma cop before OIS

The Oklahoma City Police Department has released body camera and security footage showing the moments leading up to an officer-involved shooting of a man who threw boards and bricks at officers, News 9 reported. The Sept. 24 incident began when several 911 callers reported a man yelling and acting erratically outside homes, according to the report. “There’s a male outside in front of somebody’s house, in front of their fence, and he’s out there just screaming and hollering,” a caller can be heard saying. Sgt. Christopher Skinner responded to the scene. Video shows Skinner attempting to de-escalate the situation as he approached the man, who began issuing threats. “Touch me and you’ll die,” the man repeated multiple times, adding later, “They are going to die today at 7 o’clock,” and, “Tell your police department that you’re going to die.” As Skinner followed at a distance, the suspect told him to stop. When the man stepped toward the officer, Skinner deployed pepper spray, warning him to back up. The man then threw a wooden board, striking the officer, and moments later, hurled a brick at him.

PoliceOne

Crews Make Quick Work of Fire in DTLA Commercial Building

Crews reacted quickly Wednesday morning to a fire that broke out in a large commercial building in downtown Los Angeles. No one was injured in the fire, which was reported at about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday in a one-story building at 785 E. 14th Place, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. When units arrived, smoke was coming through the roof and crews encountered flames when they cut ventilation holes, according to LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. An additional task forced was requested, she said, but the first-arriving 36 firefighters located the fire in one part of the building and put it out in 16 minutes. “Crews prevented the fire from extending to any other areas of the structure or the adjacent buildings,” Stewart said.

MyNewsLA

LA Council Unanimously Approves Parade Oversight Motion

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a motion Wednesday seeking to establish more oversight over parade activities that require more than $100,000 in city resources. Council members instructed the Los Angeles Police Department to report on the feasibility of requiring parade permits that have been applied for and approved by the Board of Police Commissioners beginning Sept. 1 to come before them for consideration. The report is expected to include a cost-recovery analysis for city services needed to facilitate events such as traffic management and security. Councilwoman Heather Hutt introduced the motion Friday alongside colleagues Tim McOsker and Marqueece Harris-Dawson. The LAPD is responsible for issuing permits for temporary public events. These permits are subject to the approval of the Police Commission. The city has seen an increase in public protests in recent months, with rallies against the federal government’s policies on illegal immigration enforcement and other issues.

MyNewsLA

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,700 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.