Dominic Choi Named Interim Chief Of LAPD, First Asian-American To Run Department

The Los Angeles Police Commission appointed Assistant Chief Dominic Choi interim chief of the city’s police department on Wednesday, Feb. 7, a position he’ll assume at the beginning of March following the retirement of Chief Michel Moore at the end of February. The vote was unanimous. Choi will be the LAPD‘s first Asian-American chief. “Assistant Chief Choi’s vast experience during his 28-year career with the department has prepared him to act as the department’s interim chief of police. He is a well-respected leader within the department and the community, known for his vast knowledge and measured decision making,” the Board of Police Commission said in a statement. The board of directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers, issued a statement hailing the selection of Choi. “The appointment of Assistant Chief Dominic Choi to lead the LAPD is an excellent choice that will instill confidence amongst the rank and file during this interim period while the search for a permanent chief takes place,” according to the union. “We look forward to working with Dominic to continue to improve officer safety, grow our ranks, and try to keep Angelenos safe.”

Los Angeles Daily News

2 Arrested In Shooting Death Of LA Summer Night Lights Volunteer In Wilmington

More details are expected Thursday when the Los Angeles Police Department provides an update on arrests in the July shooting death of a volunteer with Los Angeles' Summer Night Lights program at a recreation center. Jose Quezada, 46, of Carson, was fatally shot about 10 p.m. July 27 during a Summer Night Lights event at the Wilmington Recreation Center in the 300 block of North Neptune Avenue. Quezada was volunteering as a cook at the event, part of a program at more than 40 Los Angeles area parks and recreation centers to promote anti-gang violence and turn them into safe havens for families. Details about the arrests of two people in the shooting are expected at a 9 a.m. news conference. The arrests were announced in a news release issued by the department on Tuesday. Quezada had stepped away from the event when he was shot. Details about a motive in the shooting were not available. Witnesses said two men were seen running away from the scene. An intersection near the location of the shooting was dedicated to Quezada, described as a husband, father, coach and mentor. "Everyone who knew him, or knew of him, considered Jose to be a wonderful man and pillar of the Wilmington community," Councilman Tim McOsker wrote in the motion to designate the intersection at Jose Quezada Memorial Square.

NBC 4

Pair Of Shooters Kill Young Man In Panorama City: LAPD

A man is dead after he was shot multiple times in Panorama City early Thursday morning. The shooting occurred around midnight in the 9400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. When police arrived, they found a 20-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A witness reported that the man was walking down the street when a white Cadillac sedan pulled up and two people got out and opened fire, police said. The shooters then returned to the car and fled the scene. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation. 

KTLA 5

Loved Ones Search For Missing L.A. County Teen

Loved ones are searching for a teenager who disappeared in Whittier on Feb. 5. The missing teen was identified as Christopher Herrera, 18, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Herrera was last seen on the 13900 block of Coteau Drive at around 8:30 p.m. He is described as a Hispanic male standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 145 pounds. He has black curly hair, brown eyes, a mustache and a goatee. Herrera’s family has not heard from him since and is concerned for his well-being. Authorities have released photos of the at-risk teen in hopes someone may have spotted him. Anyone who knows of Herrera’s whereabouts or has additional information is asked to call the LASD’s Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

KTLA 5

Federal Agents Raid SoCal Home That Allegedly Housed Meth-Trafficking Operation

Six people are in custody after federal agents raided a home in Rosemead believed to be linked to a drug-smuggling ring run by Chinese nationals. The operation was allegedly hiding methamphetamine in objects such as ceramic plates and mugs and hollowed-out books and shipping them to Australia and New Zealand via UPS and other means, authorities say. Experts say the drugs would fetch much higher prices abroad than in Southern California. Large quantities of meth and currency were seized at the property, where 23 people were said to be living. Some of those at the home were minors and the county's Department of Children and Family Services is investigating their circumstances. It appears some of the property's other residents were tenants, apparently unconnected to the drug operation. One woman told Eyewitness News her boyfriend was renting a room at the property and was questioned then released by federal agents. 

ABC 7

Man Accused Of Scamming Food Trucks Out Of Thousands Of Dollars Across California

They dreamed of owning their food trucks, only to be duped out of thousands of dollars. FOX 11 spoke with people in Northern and Southern California who say Fernando Ochoa Juaregui, the owner of "8 A Food Trucks," sold them on a dream and never delivered. According to aggrieved customers, they handed over $90,000 for a small trailer. But it was never delivered. When they tried to get their money back, they said Ochoa had disappeared. Norma Estevez says she paid $60,000. "I paid the money with interest because the money is not mine, I borrowed from my house," she laments. "He already got people in Northern California, now he's in the Southside. He's moving to different places, he can be in Indio, he can be in Riverside, LA, he's just all over the place," said Alejandro Gonzalez, of San Bernardino. On social media, Ochoa Juaregui flaunts his wealth, posting photos of his fancy cars, designer clothes, and exotic vacations. He even had musicians create a Mexican corrido about his successful business. Gonzalez, who knows he'll never see his money back, says, "I don't know how this guy can sleep, to be honest." 

FOX 11

Massive Blaze Rips Through Commercial Building In Carson

A massive fire ripped through a commercial building in Carson on Wednesday and investigators are working to determine what sparked the blaze. The fire was first reported at around 1:30 p.m. at a building in the 100 block of Selandia Lane, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department. With SkyCal overhead, large plumes of black smoke and flames could be seen shooting forth from the collapsed roof of the building as firefighters battled the blaze from the ground. The building is believed to house a company that manufactures electronics and appliances. Crews were able to gain the upper hand on the fire before launching an investigation into what caused the fire. 

CBS 2

9 People Killed In California’s Massive Storm: Here’s How They Died

State officials have reported that nine people across California died in the biggest storm of the season, a major atmospheric river that left a trail of destruction due to dangerous winds and historic rains. Among the deaths, four were killed by fallen trees in Northern California and two died in car wrecks in Southern California, officials said. The storm initially whipped into Northern California on Saturday as a bomb cyclone — meaning it rapidly intensified — fueling dangerous winds on top of an already moisture-heavy system. Wind gusts along the Northern and Central California coast exceeded 90 and 100 mph in some areas, as the storm unleashed the beginning of a deluge of rain. By Sunday and Monday, the system was walloping Southern California, dumping record-breaking rainfall, causing hundreds of mudslides and debris flows and forcing evacuations and water rescues. The storm — fueled by El Niño, human-caused climate change and typical winter weather patterns — resulted in widespread power outages, road closures and flooding. 

Los Angeles Times

Council Lifts Ban On Vending Near Hollywood Bowl, Other Popular L.A. Locations

With nearly 100 street vendors sitting in the audience, the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to lift bans on vending in seven high-traffic areas across the city, including the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium. The no-vending zones were established by a 2018 ordinance that decriminalized street vending elsewhere in the city and created rules and regulations for vendors. The other no-vending zones lifted are the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Crypto.com Arena, Universal Studios, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and Exposition Park. City officials said at the time that street vendors worsen congestion in these crowded areas, but they did not provide any data confirming their claim. A 2018 California law decriminalized street vending throughout the state and restricted local governments from limiting sidewalk sales unless there were “objective health, safety or welfare concerns.”

Los Angeles Times

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.