Chilling Audio And Emotional Testimonies Mark Day One Of Brianna Kupfer Murder Trial

The trial for the 2022 murder of 24-year-old Brianna Kupfer of Pacific Palisades began on Thursday. Kupfer was fatally stabbed 46 times on January 13, 2022, while working at the Croft House furniture store in Hancock Park, situated on La Brea Avenue near Beverly Boulevard. In his opening statement, Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian told the jury hearing the case against Smith that "no one should have to hear what I'm going to play for you," with the family of victim Brianna Kupfer leaving the courtroom before the audio recording was played. "This audio captures exactly what happened inside that store," the prosecutor said. "Ladies and gentlemen, these are the last seven minutes of Brianna Kupfer's life." Kupfer can be heard on the audio recording talking with her assailant before he left the store and then returned, told her "I'm not gonna hurt you" and ordered her to "just get down on the floor." Kupfer can be heard screaming in the recording and telling her assailant to "get off of me," with her assailant subsequently telling her, "It's over, it's over, it's over, it's over, bitch." "This is Brianna Kupfer in life," the prosecutor said, showing jurors one photo of the victim. "This is Brianna Kupfer after seven minutes with this man sitting right here," Balian said of another photo, while referring to the defendant sitting across the courtroom. "He caught her. He forced her to the ground. He stabbed her to death," Balian told the jury. 

Westside Current

Three Suspects Plead Not Guilty In Killing Of Former 'General Hospital' Actor Johnny Wactor

Three suspects involved in the shooting and killing of former "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor in downtown Los Angeles pleaded not guilty. The fourth suspect pleaded guilty. The not guilty pleas were entered on behalf of the alleged gunman, Robert Isaiah Barceleau, 18, of Huntington Park, who is charged with murder and the special circumstance allegation of murder during an attempted robbery in connection with the actor's killing, on May 25, 2024. Barceleau, who could face a potential life prison term without the possibility of parole if convicted, is also charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, both with allegations he was armed with a firearm. Sergio Estrada, 18, also pleaded not guilty. He was charged with murder, but is not charged with the special circumstance allegation. His other charges include attempted robbery and grand theft, along with gun allegations. Frank Olano, 22, of Inglewood, is the third suspect who pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the killing, along with receiving stolen property and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A fourth suspect, Leonel Gutierrez, 18, who is charged with attempted robbery and grand theft by embezzlement, both with gun allegations, indicated through his attorney that he would plead guilty. He is free after posting $120,000 bond.

CBS 2

Taco Vendor In Critical Condition After Being Shot In Highland Park Robbery Attempt

An elderly street vendor is in critical condition after being wounded by several gunshots in an attempted carjacking in Highland Park. José Ayala, 69, sells tacos and other Mexican snacks on the corner of York Boulevard. Ayala, also known as el Tigre, was driving his pickup truck when he was gunned down early Tuesday morning. Los Angeles police believe they attempted to rob his vehicle and even after he was shot and wounded, he managed to drive to a shopping center where he sought help. “El Tigre is a good person good, does good for many people. He has many friends who love him”, said William Wolf, one of his friends who demands justice. The shooting took place at the intersection of Figueroa Boulevard and Marmion Avenue in Highland Park, but businesses on York Boulevard say that Ayala finishes selling Mexican snacks at night and heads there. “We did not expect this misfortune that happened to him, many have asked me, we are praying a lot for him”, said Reina Bernal, a fruit vendor who works alongside Ayala. Ayala is hospitalized with an injured jaw but is in stable condition, according to his best friend. Moments after the attempted robbery, authorities arrested Bryon López, 19. Another suspect escaped and the only description is that he was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt.

NBC 4

San Fernando Valley Homeowner Stabs Intruder: LAPD

Authorities were investigating after a San Fernando Valley homeowner took matters into his own hands after someone broke into his house. Security footage shows someone walking around the Winnetka neighborhood on Elkwood Street and Comanche Avenue, located off Winnetka Avenue. Investigators said the homeowner's daughter was the first to confront the suspect. A short time later, her father and the suspect got into a fight. As things continued to escalate, officials said the homeowner stabbed the suspect in the abdomen. He was taken to the hospital and his condition was unknown. When officers with the Los Angeles Police Department arrived at the home, they found the suspect. A neighbor also told officers the suspect tried to break into her home. 

FOX 11

2 Teen Girls And Newborn Baby Found After Going Missing From East Los Angeles, Police Say

Police have found the two teen girls and newborn baby who went missing earlier this week, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Los Angeles Police Department issued an Ebony Alert for 14-year-old Amoria Brown, her 3-week-old daughter Omoria and her sister-in-law, 15-year-old Sanaii Brown, when the trio was last seen in East Los Angeles. Officers believed the teens and newborn were headed to the high desert area with family. After four days, officers announced on X they had deactivated the advisory and located the three girls. The CHP did not release the condition of the girls.

CBS 2

California Authorities Have Seized Nearly 9 Million Fentanyl Pills In 2024

Amid Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to crackdown on fentanyl smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico border, the number of pills seized by authorities has continued to grow throughout the year. According to Newsom’s office, the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force has seized 8.8 million fentanyl pills and 4,638 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2024. That’s about $40 million worth of the illegal, deadly drug. “California’s work to address illicit fentanyl entering into our state continues to produce strong results,” Newsom said in a statement. “We’ll continue to address the opioid epidemic by all means necessary – including by getting fentanyl off our streets and providing communities with access to the treatment and life-saving medications they need.” The task force responsible for seizing the fentanyl has focused on points of entry along the southern border. Newsom doubled down on the program in June, increasing the California National Guard Deployment by 152% at the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, and Calexico Ports of Entry. As the governor’s office notes, most of the fentanyl smuggled into the country comes from U.S. citizens.

KTLA 5

Dallas Police Officer Killed, 2 Officers Wounded By Gunfire

A Dallas police officer died and two other officers were wounded by a suspect who was shot and killed by police north of the city after a vehicle chase, police said. Police responded to a call for officer assistance shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday and found an officer wounded in a squad car, the Dallas Police Department said in a statement. The officers who responded to the scene exchanged gunfire with a suspect and two of the officers were shot. The three officers were transported to hospitals, where one died and the other two were listed in critical and stable condition, the police statement said. The identities of the officers were not immediately released. The suspect fled the scene and was pursued to Lewisville, Texas, about 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) northwest of Dallas. The suspect then got out of the vehicle with a long gun and was shot by officers. He died at the scene, police said. The Lewisville Police Department posted on social media that Dallas police were involved in a vehicle pursuit going north on Interstate 35. “Shots were fired, and the suspect is deceased,” the post said, noting that Lewisville officers were not involved. The investigation is ongoing, the Dallas police said, adding that flags at city facilities will be flown at half-staff.

Associated Press

‘Attack On Police’: ATF Investigating After Arson Leaves 4 Pennsylvania Police Vehicles Burned

An investigation is underway after four cruisers were set on fire, an act the local authorities are describing as targeted arson against a police department, WTAE reported. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has joined the investigation and is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, according to the report. Chief Mark Steele of the McKeesport Police Department expressed his shock at the incident. “To get woke up at 3:12 in the morning that four police cars are on fire in your lower lot, my heart sunk to my stomach. I’ve never had that call before.” The vehicles involved included two marked and two unmarked vehicles, which, according to the mayor’s office, were used as backup and their loss has not affected police operations, according to the report. ATF and the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene to collect evidence. Mayor Michael Cherepko also commented on the arson, emphasizing the relief that no injuries occurred. “That’s the important thing here because, let’s face it, obviously this is an attack on police,’ Cherepko told WTAE.

PoliceOne

Updated COVID Vaccine Now Available Across SoCal. Here's What You Need To Know

The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now available at pharmacies across Southern California, and there's an even bigger push to get people vaccinated ahead of the busy holiday season. The vaccine has a new formula to more closely target circulating variants and provide better protection. "This new updated formulation of the COVID vaccine is actually targeting the KP.2 strain, so it's very important to get it," said Alexie He, a district leader at CVS Health. "The goal is to really make sure we're preventing serious outcomes, so hospitalizations and death. Also, we have cold and flu season coming up as well as the holiday season, so it's very important to get this vaccine now." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get the shot, which includes people who have gotten a COVID vaccine before and people who have had COVID. Last week, CDC Director Mandy Cohen urged Americans to get the COVID and flu shots together.

ABC 7

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.