Fatal Stabbing in DTLA
Fatal Stabbing in DTLA
A 63-year-old man was fatally stabbed near Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles and homicide detectives Wednesday are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded at 9:46 p.m. Tuesday to the 500 block of North Main between Winston and Sixth streets regarding a stabbing call. When they arrived at the scene, the witnesses told police the victim had been stabbed during a confrontation with a suspect, an LAPD spokeswoman told City News Service. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene, where they pronounced the victim dead. Video of the incident shows a busy and active crime scene investigation with yellow tape cordoning off the area, a tent covering the victim where the legs can be seen, three detectives and a photographer documenting and collecting evidence and a couple of patrol cars. There was no suspect description released.
LAPD investigating after child found dead inside hot car in Valley Village
Los Angeles police are investigating after a child was found dead inside a hot car in Valley Village Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters and police responded around 3:40 p.m. to a medical emergency call at McCormick Street and Bluebell Avenue. Religious first responders also arrived. Crime-scene tape blocked off an area of the neighborhood, and a white tent covered a part of a vehicle. "An unresponsive child in a vehicle was discovered," LAPD Capt. Warner Castillo told reporters. LAFD personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene. At least two neighbors say a father had driven the neighborhood carpool in the morning and didn't realize a young girl never got out of the vehicle. Police initially told Eyewitness News that the child was a 4-year-old boy.
Burglars in East Hollywood ransack apartment, get away with valuables
Two burglars in East Hollywood got away with valuables after breaking into an apartment and ransacking it on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Police Department said they received a call around 11 p.m. about a break-in on the 600 block of Normandie. Police said two male suspects broke into an apartment unit in a complex and stole clothes, jewelry and luggage before getting away. The LAPD is continuing to investigate this incident.
Influencer, lawyer and surf coach charged in plot to kill L.A. boy band member
A high-powered Miami lawyer, his influencer daughter and a Hawaiian surf instructor have all been accused of attempting to hire a hit man to kill a Los Angeles singer who was a member of a 2010s boy band, according to a criminal complaint made public Tuesday afternoon. Francisco Gonzalez, his daughter, Gabriela, and Kai Cordrey were all charged Tuesday with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder and solicitation to commit murder, according to the complaint. The target of the plot was Jack Avery, who was once a member of L.A.-based boy band Why Don’t We, court records show. Gabriela Gonzalez, 25, and Avery have a 7-year-old daughter together, and were involved in a custody dispute, according to court filings. In 2021, Gabriela Gonzalez began portraying her ex-lover as an “unfit” and “dangerous” parent during court proceedings, according to the criminal complaint. In March 2021, the court filing says, she openly spoke about “wanting Jack Avery dead and discussed hiring a hitman to kill him.” Around the same time in 2021, the complaint says, her father, a high-powered Miami attorney, began texting Cordrey, a Hawaii-based surf instructor who was Gabriela’s new partner. Francisco Gonzalez, 59, allegedly told Cordrey, 26, to recruit someone to threaten or harass Avery, according to the complaint. They settled on Dustin Barca, a retired MMA fighter living in Maui, court records show.
Convicted felon arrested in SoCal after officers find PCP, nearly 20 pounds of marijuana
A convicted felon was found with several ounces of PCP and nearly 20 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop in San Bernardino, police said. Officers stopped the vehicle recently for suspected vehicle code violations, the San Bernardino Police Department posted on Facebook Monday afternoon. The stop later resulted in a search of the vehicle, where officers located two duffel bags, which police said contained the following items: 18 pounds of Marijuana, 32 ounces of PCP, 8.26 pounds of wax, and Approximately $4,600 in cash. Police later obtained a search warrant, leading to the discovery of an unregistered 9mm Ruger. The driver was not identified, but authorities said the suspect was a convicted felon who was taken into custody. No further details regarding the suspect’s previous conviction were released.
Public Safety News
2 LAFD firefighters injured after fire engine overturns in crash caught on video
Two Los Angeles firefighters in Sunland suffered minor injuries after a fire engine overturned Tuesday evening in a chaotic crash caught on video. The crash was reported at about 6:45 p.m. at 10500 N. Mcvine Ave., just south of Foothill Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Video shows the truck suddenly losing control and flipping over. Fire officials said firefighters were responding to a structure fire. Aerial footage from AIR7 showed a fire engine on its side resting against an H&R Block building, partially on top of a car. It's unclear if the building sustained significant damage. Another video showed a first responder on a stretcher getting wheeled away following the collision. The two injured firefighters were taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries. No other injuries were reported, the department said.
Los Angeles Metro train collides with car at Watts intersection
An investigation is underway after a Los Angeles Metro train and a car collided at an intersection in the Watts neighborhood Tuesday morning. Emergency crews responded to a report of a sedan colliding with a multi-car train at the crossing on Wilmington Avenue near Willowbrook Avenue shortly before 8 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Citizen video obtained by KTLA showed first responders near a silver or gray colored car with major front-end damage near the stopped Metrol train. No patients required extrication, the department said, adding that all train and vehicle occupants were being assessed at the scene. “All persons have declined LAFD transport to local hospitals,” the department said in a later update.
Fire Catches at Van Nuys Commercial Building
Firefighters extinguished a fire Tuesday at a one-story commercial building in Van Nuys. Crews responded to 16137 Valerio St., just west of Woodley Avenue, at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday, where first arriving units found flames coming from the building’s roof, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Middleton of the Los Angeles Fire Department. It took 78 firefighters 27 minutes extinguish the fire and no injuries were reported, Middleton said. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
LA City Officials and the Navy Launch Annual LA Fleet Week
Los Angeles officials and Navy representatives will formally launch the 10th annual LA Fleet Week Wednesday as a U.S. Navy ship arrives at the Port of Los Angeles ahead of Memorial Day weekend festivities. A news conference announcing the start of Fleet Week is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday aboard the Battleship USS Iowa Museum at the Port of Los Angeles. Expected speakers include Mayor Karen Bass, Port of Los Angeles Police Chief Tom Gazsi, Pacific Battleship Center President and CEO Jonathan Williams and Rear Adm. Rich Jarrett, commander of Navy Region Southwest. The free four-day event, scheduled for Friday through Memorial Day, will include tours of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels, military and first responder exhibits, athletic competitions and live entertainment, according to port officials. This year’s celebration will also include patriotic programming tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Crews battle multiple wildfires across Southern California
Firefighters from across Southern California are battling several wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and, in some cases, destroyed structures. In Riverside County, crews are working to contain the Bain and Verona wildfires. The Bain Fire erupted in Jurupa Valley near Limonite Avenue and Bain Street around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, prompting evacuation orders and warnings. It has grown to more than 1,300 acres, according to the most recent Cal Fire advisory. An emergency shelter was established at La Sierra Senior Center. Four civilians have been injured, officials said. Less than an hour later, the Verona Fire sparked near Verona Road and Juniper Springs Road in the community of Homeland, also forcing evacuations. In San Bernardino County, the Willow Fire broke out in the hills between Chino and Yorba Linda shortly after 11 a.m. and was fully contained by 4:30 p.m., officials said. No evacuation orders were issued for the wildfire.
Local Government News
LA Council Gives Preliminary Approval to Consolidation Plan of 3 City Teams
The Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to an ordinance that would consolidate three city departments into a single entity, despite concerns it could impact the city’s goals with supporting youth and economic development. In a 12-3 vote, council members approved a draft ordinance to consolidate the departments of youth, aging, and economic development. The responsibilities of each department would be overseen by the rebranded Community Investment Department. The City Council is scheduled to take a second and final vote on the proposed ordinance next Tuesday. Council members Monica Rodriguez, Traci Park and Nithya Raman opposed the matter. Mayor Karen Bass called for the consolidation last year as part of her budget for fiscal year 2025-26. The final revised budget addressed a nearly $1 billion deficit caused by overspending, a decrease in tax revenue, an increase in liability payouts, and the January 2025 wildfires, among other challenges.
Council Approves Anti-Camping Zones in San Fernando Valley
The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday added more anti-camping zones around parks, underpasses, streets and other areas in the San Fernando Valley. The council voted 11-4 to approve a resolution introduced by City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla on May 12, prohibiting unhoused people and any resident from sitting, lying, sleeping or storing personal property in designated areas under the anti-camping law, known as L.A. Municipal Code Section 41.18. Members of the council’s progressive bloc — Eunisses Hernandez, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Ysabel Jurado and Nithya Raman — voted against the resolution. Padilla, who represents the Sixth Council District, which encompasses parts of Van Nuys, Lake Balboa, Panorama City, Arleta, North Hills East, North Hollywood and Sun Valley, did not provide comment about her resolution during Tuesday’s council meeting.
