Fatal Stabbing at DTLA High-Rise

Police are searching Friday for a man who allegedly stabbed a woman at a high-rise in downtown Los Angeles near Pershing Square. Los Angeles Police Department officers from Central Division responded at 2:36 a.m. Friday to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon call in the 400 block of Main Street, between East Third and Fourth streets. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim with a stab wound to the abdomen, LAPD Officer Rosario Cervantes told City News Service. The victim was taken to a hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department personnel in stable condition, Cervantes said. The suspect ran away from the scene.

MyNewsLA

LAPD to Graduate More Recruits Friday

Twenty-six new Los Angeles Police Department officers will be sworn in at a graduation ceremony at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park Friday. The latest round of recruits to join the force includes 21 men and five women. Nineteen of the recruits are Hispanic, two are Asian and five are white. One Los Angeles Airport Police officer and one Los Angeles Port Police officer will also be graduating. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has warned that more funding is needed to hire more officers to account for attrition, which is overtaking new hiring, leaving the LAPD with an officer shortfall.

MyNewsLA

3 people dead, several others injured after car slams into Westwood grocery store

Three people are dead, and four others are injured after a car, driven by an elderly woman, crashed into a grocery store in Westwood, blocks from UCLA, fire officials said Thursday. The incident was reported at around 12:10 p.m. at the 99 Ranch Market grocery store on Westwood Boulevard near Rochester Avenue. The deceased were inside the bakery when they were hit by the car, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The identities of the deceased were not released Thursday, but fire officials said the dead victims are a 42-year-old woman, a 55-year-old man and a 30-year-old male. Authorities later confirmed that two of the victims were store employees and the other was a customer. Among the injured, two patients are in serious condition while two others have minor injuries, Cpt. Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department said. None of the victims were UCLA students, the LAPD confirmed. Despite some misinformation that suggested the crash was intentional, Scott said a preliminary investigation suggests that it was an accident. He said as the driver was trying to avoid striking a bicyclist, she may have driven her silver car into the grocery store. The driver was initially identified as a woman in her 70s, but authorities later said she is 92.

NBC 4

Suspect on the run after 10-year-old girl, senior citizen stabbed in Sunland

The search is on for a suspect, described by authorities as a transient, after a grandfather and one of his grandchildren were stabbed while on their way to school in the Sunland area on Friday morning. Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department said the stabbing happened around 7:45 a.m. in the 103000 block of Eldora Avenue in Sunland, a residential area off Oro Vista Avenue. Investigators said an adult and three other children were getting ready to leave for school when an armed suspect came up behind them and stabbed them inside a vehicle. Two of the children took off running and were able to escape the car. However, a 10-year-old girl and her grandfather were stabbed. They were taken to an area hospital when first responders arrived. The car was running during the incident and after stabbing the victims, the suspect jumped into the car and drove off. Officers recently had an encounter with the suspect and know who he is. 

FOX 11

Driver crashes into hydrant, power lines in Koreatown during hit-and-run

A driver crashed into a water hydrant and power lines during a hit-and-run in Koreatown on Friday morning. The Los Angeles Police Department said the crash took place around 4:40 a.m. in the 700 block of Mariposa Avenue. Firefighters were unable to immediately turn off the water because the car had struck high-voltage wires, which caused a significant hazard. Crews from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power were requested. The LAPD said the driver fled the scene on foot. There is no suspect description at this time. No injuries were reported during the incident. 

CBS 2

Thieves snatch purse from unsuspecting woman's car in Koreatown parking lot, video shows

Thieves were caught on camera stalking shoppers in Koreatown, then stealing a woman's purse from her car. The suspects in a white BMW can be seen waiting for their next victim in the parking lot of a busy shopping center at 8th Street and Western Avenue Tuesday afternoon. They spring into action after spotting a woman walking to her car. Camera's on the victim's Tesla caught it all on video, showing the BMW pulling up. One masked thief can be seen sneaking up along the passenger side of her car just as she unlocks her doors. He then grabs her purse and jumps back into the getaway car. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incident and the search continues for the thieves.

ABC 7

L.A. County ‘imposter’ demanded the Guthries pay bitcoin ransom for mother’s return, authorities allege

A Los Angeles County man was arrested after he sent “imposter” ransom messages to the family of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie, whose mother remains missing from her Arizona home in a suspected abduction, federal officials said Thursday. “To those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation, we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix division, said at a news conference. He said Thursday’s arrest was made after investigators tracked down an “imposter ransom demand,” which was unrelated to a separate ransom letter received by news outlets that officials are taking seriously. Guthrie and her siblings this week addressed the suspected abductor in a tearful video, asking them to reach out directly and provide some proof of life of their mother, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. After that emotional video was posted and publicized, authorities say Derrick Callella, of Hawthorne, sent messages to Guthrie family members. “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction,” read the message sent to at least two family members, according to the federal criminal complaint filed in Arizona.

Los Angeles Times

DTLA Fire Rages for 26 Minutes

Firefighters knocked down a fire in downtown Los Angeles near the Toy District in 26 minutes Thursday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to 218 E Winston St., between Fifth and Wall streets at 8:23 p.m., said LAFD spokeswoman Lyndsey Lantz. Approximately 70 firefighters were assigned to the fire. Multiple LAFD companies will remain in the area for overhaul operations at the site, Lantz said.

MyNewsLA

Austin Beutner drops out of L.A. mayor’s race, citing daughter’s death

Former Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner said Thursday that he is dropping out of the race for mayor, citing the recent death of his 22-year-old daughter. Beutner, one of several candidates seeking to oust Mayor Karen Bass in the June 2 primary, made his announcement a month after the death of Emily Beutner, the youngest of his four children. “My family has experienced the unimaginable loss of our beloved daughter Emily. She was a magical person, the light of our lives. We are still in mourning,” Beutner said in a statement. “A successful campaign, and more importantly the job of Mayor, requires someone who is committed 24/7 to the job. Family has always come first for me. That is where I need to be at this time.” Beutner’s daughter died Jan. 6 at a hospital, according to officials with the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office, which has not yet determined a cause. The announcement comes as the lineup of candidates is still in flux, with Saturday’s filing deadline fast approaching. L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath has been weighing a run, as has Maryam Zar, founder of the Palisades Recovery Coalition. Real estate developer Rick Caruso, who ruled out a run for mayor last month, briefly reconsidered the idea this week after a Times report in which two unnamed sources said Mayor Karen Bass was directly involved in watering down an after-action report on the Palisades fire.

Los Angeles Times

Rick Caruso not expected to enter L.A. mayor’s race, reports say

Billionaire developer Rick Caruso is not expected to enter the Los Angeles mayoral race, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. Caruso, 67, previously said in January that he would not run. A new Times investigation released Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with Mayor Karen Bass’ office, reported that Bass expressed concern that failures detailed in the Palisades Fire after‑action report could create legal liability for the city. Caruso told KNX News on Wednesday afternoon that the investigation into Bass’ alleged actions has prompted him to reconsider his earlier decision, though he didn’t announce immediate plans to launch a campaign. 

KTLA 5

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.