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Law Enforcement News

Funeral Held For LAPD Officer Killed In Training Accident
Colleagues and friends gathered at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Wednesday to bid farewell to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Houston Ryan Tipping, who died after suffering a spinal cord injury during a training accident at the agency’s Elysian Park academy. Tipping’s father fought back tears as he paid tribute to his son, publicly professing “how much I love my son, how proud I am of him.’” “My son Houston was naturally kind,” he said. “He genuinely cared about people. He had the perfect character to be an LAPD officer.” According to LAPD Chief Michel Moore, Tipping was “an officer who held such promise for this city.” Tipping, 32, died May 29. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Shirley; his stepfather, Bob; his siblings Kat and Tyler; and his girlfriend, Brittany. The five-year department veteran worked out of the LAPD’s Devonshire Division.
LA Times

Los Angeles DA George Gascon Brushes Off Concern From Mother Of Slain Officer: 'We Don't Have A Crystal Ball'
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon on Wednesday seemingly brushed off concern when asked about the mother of one of the slain El Monte police officers who said she blamed Gascon’s policies for allowing her son’s killer to remain out of prison before the shooting. "This individual had no history of violence," Gascon said of accused killer Justin William Flores during a virtual town hall discussion on Wednesday evening. When asked by Fox News Digital about mother Olga Garcia, who said Gascon should "immediately" resign over the officers' deaths, Gascon said, "He was on bail for months and could have committed a violent act for a month – We don't have a crystal ball." Flores, a gang member, was on probation for a weapons charge after he received a lenient sentence through a plea deal. A Gascon policy allowed Flores to plead no contest to being a felon in possession of a firearm and receive a light sentence despite having a strike on his criminal record already. Garcia is the mother of Joseph Anthony Santana, an El Monte police officer who, along with his partner Cpl. Michael Domingo Paredes, was allegedly shot and killed by Flores during a domestic call at a motel. He shot the officers when they entered the motel room.
FOX News

Slain El Monte Police Officer Posthumously Promoted To Sergeant
One of the El Monte police officers killed in the line of duty during a shootout with a suspect last week is receiving a posthumous promotion. Corporal Michael Paredes was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant, the police department announced. In a statement, officials said Paredes was on duty in the capacity of Acting Sergeant, and that it was fitting to promote Paredes to "the rank he last served as." "Mike had always displayed excellent character, right down to his last moments on this earth. Mike was competent and had proven to be proficient in all the administrative functions that are required of a sergeant. Mike had the respect of all of us who worked with him. From this point forward, he will be remembered as Sergeant Michael Paredes." Paredes started his law enforcement career as a cadet with the El Monte Police Department before he was sworn in as a full-time police officer in July 2000. He worked several specialized assignments before being appointed to Corporal and posthumously to Sergeant. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son. Paredes’ sister, Melissa Valencia, said her brother gave big hugs and always had a wide smile. She urged his children to find inspiration in his public service. "Choose your path in life, choose leadership and choose to be the change this community needs, just like Michael did," Valencia said during a vigil held for the two officers over the weekend.
FOX 11

Convicted Murderer Arrested Again After Los Angeles DA, State Policies Enabled His Release
A man who has been arrested in connection with a California killing was reportedly released from serving a life sentence just last year thanks in part to a policy instituted by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, Gascón refused to transfer Victor Bibiano's case from juvenile court to adult court. This, combined with the controversial Proposition 57, led to Bibiano's release. Six years ago, California voters approved Proposition 57, which says all minors convicted in adult court would receive a hearing in which it would be determined if they should be tried again in adult court. Bibiano qualified and had his case sent to juvenile court, awaiting a transfer hearing. Then, in 2020, Gascón instituted a ban on trying anyone again in adult court if they were a minor when the offense was committed. Bibiano was just 17 when he and two others were convicted in a double murder that resulted in a life sentence. He served just eight years of that sentence and was released in 2021, LA Daily News reports. Now, the 30-year-old Bibiano and has reportedly been arrested in connection with the April 16 killing of 42-year-old Mario Rodriguez, who was found shot at a Pacoima, California transient camp.
ABC News 4

Dispute Between 2 Men Ends In Fatal Shooting In Hollywood, LAPD Says
A dispute between two men in Hollywood led to a deadly shooting Wednesday night, police say. It happened around 7 p.m. near the W Hotel at the intersection of Selma Avenue and Argyle Avenue. LAPD says the suspect fired multiple times at the victim. The victim then tried to jump into his car and drive away from the scene, but was hit and crashed into parked vehicles. He was rushed to the hospital, but died from his injuries, officials said. The victim was identified as only a man in his 20s or 30s. It's unclear if the incident was gang-related. Police say the shooter fled in a white or light-colored vehicle. Further details were not immediately known. The investigation is ongoing.
ABC 7

Police Seek Public's Help Identifying East Hollywood Hit-and-Run Suspect
The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday asked for the public's help in finding a hit-and-run motorist who injured another driver in the east Hollywood area late last year. Police released video of the incident, which was reported on Dec. 23, 2021, at around 11 a.m., near Santa Monica Boulevard and Heliotrope Drive, according to authorities. "The driver of a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck became involved in a traffic collision with a 2007 Honda Accord when negotiating a U-turn," police said in a statement. The Honda driver suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Ford pickup was described as late 50s, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing around 175 pounds, with black hair. The extended cab pickup truck was white with blue colored racing stripes. A reward of up to $5,000 is available from the city of LA for information that helps solve the crime. Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Detective Juan Campos of the Central Traffic Division at 213-833-3713, or email him at [email protected]. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers 800-222-TIPS or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.
CBS 2

VIDEO: Homeless Woman Charges Couple At Hollywood Kinkos
A homeless woman was caught on video chasing a couple through a Kinkos store in Hollywood earlier this week. The interaction happened on Tuesday. The video, provided to FOX 11 by Travis Canby, shows the couple moving around the store, trying to get out of the way of a homeless woman approaching them. Canby says that before the incident in the store, the woman was in the parking lot of the store, after "pulling her breast out," according to Canby, the woman reached into the car of a woman who had just left the Kinkos store, grabbed papers and threw them about the parking lot. Canby says after witnessing the interaction, the homeless woman addressed him. The couple then went into the store, where Canby says he warned employees. Then the woman followed them, asking "What do you want," according to Canby. The woman is seen trying to approach the couple as they run around the aisles in the store. Employees helped the two get out. "Go out the back door. Go ahead sir," an employee is heard saying in the video, followed by a directive at the woman. "Ma'am you need to leave, now." The woman then walked out of the store.
FOX 11

How Chesa Boudin's Recall Could Impact LA DA George Gascón
LA County District Attorney George Gascon, who might face a recall as well, needs to strengthen his strategy, senior political writer for the San Francisco Chronicle Joe Garofoli told “Inside the Issues” host Alex Cohen. “In the heat of a recall election is not the time to start educating people about what your job description is. So anything Gascon can do to explain what he's trying to do… would help in some way,” Garofoli stated. While both Gascon and Boudin are getting push back on their progressive approach to criminal justice, Garofoli said “the San Francisco battle was interpreted nationally.” “I think that bearing criminal justice reform right now is a little bit early. A little bit of a too hot take, if you will,” Garofoli said. “The other thing to remember is that it will evolve.” There are several places in California where change seems contradictory and slow. In Contra Costa County, east of the San Francisco Bay, progressive District Attorney Diana Becton held on to her seat with 57% of the votes in the face of a strong challenge from a fellow Democrat Mary Knox. On the other hand, Republican Ron Freitas won by a narrow margin against Tori Verber Salazar in San Joaquin County. At the very top of the ticket, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has been a friend to criminal justice reform in many ways, won and survived the recall last fall as well, Garofoli noted.
Spectrum News

Motorist Leads Authorities On Pursuit Towards Playa Del Rey In Stolen Vehicle
Three people in a vehicle that was reported stolen in the Los Angeles area were taken into custody today following a sometimes- high-speed pursuit by law enforcement officers. The chase ended about 11:45 a.m. off Vista Del Mar near Los Angeles International Airport, where the motorist and a passenger were taken into custody. Hawthorne police originally tried to stop the silver SUV in that city, but the motorist kept going. The vehicle went onto the San Diego (405) Freeway, speeding and weaving wildly through traffic. The driver moved onto streets in the Compton area, eventually heading north on the Harbor (110) Freeway, west on the Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway and west on Imperial Highway south of LAX, turning north toward Playa del Rey. The driver eventually came to a stop in a residential neighborhood, where the three occupants surrendered to authorities.
WestSide Current

Suspect In North Hollywood Anti-Asian Attack On Filipino Family Is Arrested And Charged
A man suspected in an anti-Asian attack on a Filipino family in North Hollywood last month is back in custody in Los Angeles County after he failed to appear for arraignment, authorities said Wednesday. Nicholas Weber, 31, was detained by police after the May 13 attack and issued a citation with instructions to appear in court June 8. But Weber did not show up. He was charged with felony battery causing serious bodily injury and misdemeanor battery. Both counts also carried hate crime enhancements, court records show. Weber was arrested in Orange County shortly after 7:40 p.m. June 16, said Roxi Fyad, a Costa Mesa Police Department spokesperson. Costa Mesa police “responded to a call for service of a male possibly passed out on the sidewalk” and identified him as Weber, Fyad said. The officers arrested him on an outstanding felony assault warrant from the Los Angeles Police Department. It was not clear when L.A. County authorities were made aware of Weber’s arrest in Costa Mesa or when he was transferred to custody in Los Angeles. He is set to be arraigned on the L.A. County charges Thursday.
LA Times

Mistrial Declared In Wrongful Death Suit Against Suge Knight
A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in a wrongful death suit brought against Marion "Suge'' Knight by relatives of a man run over and killed by the former rap mogul with a pickup truck in Compton in 2015. Jurors deadlocked 7-5 in favor of finding him liable. Compton Superior Court Judge Thomas Long took the action after jurors announced they could not attain the nine votes needed to reach a verdict. They first announced late last week that they were at an impasse, but the judge urged them to return Tuesday and keep working. Knight, now 56, pleaded no contest in September 2018 to voluntary manslaughter for killing 55-year-old Terry Carter after an argument near a promotional shoot for the movie "Straight Outta Compton'' on Jan. 29, 2015. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ronald Coen sentenced him to 28 years in prison a month after his plea. Knight testified on a virtual basis during the civil suit trial. Knight also admitted an allegation that he used a deadly weapon -- a truck -- during the commission of the crime in the parking lot of Tam's Burgers in the 1200 block of West Rosecrans Avenue.
NBC 4

South Carolina Deputy Killed After Being Shot In Ambush, Sheriff Says
A sheriff’s deputy in South Carolina’s Upstate region was shot and killed in the line of duty Tuesday, officials said. Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger said Deputy Austin Derek Aldridge, 25, died at about 9:30 p.m., WYFF reported. The three-year veteran of the sheriff’s office was ambushed, Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said during a news conference. “He was a really good young man,” Wright said, as he fought back his emotions. Aldridge was a Byrnes High School alum, and played on the football team, according to the school. At about 3:20 p.m., Aldridge was responding to a domestic violence call, sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Kevin Bobo said in a news release. Aldrigde was shot as he approached a Chaffee Road residence, according to Bobo. As neighbors provided other deputies with a description of the shooter and his vehicle, another deputy spotted the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, Bobo said. The shooter was later identified as Duane Heard, WHNS reported. Initially, Heard acted like he was going to surrender, but then he fired at that deputy, who returned fire, according to Bobo. Heard continued driving until he wrecked the vehicle near the Keurig Dr. Pepper plant, about 4 miles from where Aldridge was shot, and ran into the woods after shooting at other deputies, Bobo said.
The State

Public Safety News

LAFD Crews Rescue Driver After Car Veered 20 Feet Down Side Of Embankment In Hollywood Hills
Firefighters were working to rescue a person whose vehicle went over the side of an embankment in Hollywood Hills Wednesday morning. Los Angeles Fire Department crews were called to the scene on N. Deronda Drive, where they extricated the occupant of the overturned vehicle that was reportedly 20 feet down the side of the road. LAFD reported that the occupant had been saved as of 10:40 a.m., after it had come to a rest near a multi-story residential structure in the area. The occupants of that building were safely evacuated as crews investigated the structural integrity. One woman was taken to a hospital in what crews reported as fair condition.
CBS 2

Sacramento, Statewide COVID Cases Falling — But More Counties Reach High Level Of Spread
COVID-19 case rates fell statewide this week, although positivity rates continue to grow. And the virus appears to be loosening its hold on the capital region, at least temporarily as nearly every metric — case rate, positivity rate and hospitalizations — dropped over the past week in Sacramento County. The California Department of Public Health on Tuesday reported the statewide case rate at 35.8 cases per 100,000 residents, down 13% from the previous week. California’s positivity rate, meanwhile, has continued to rise. It hit 11.4% this week, up significantly from 9.1% the previous week. Unlike the state as a whole, most Sacramento-area counties have seen drops in positivity rates as well as case rates. In Sacramento County, the positivity rate is 12.4%, down from 13.7% the previous week. In Placer County, the positivity rate is 11.3%, down from 12.3% last week, and in El Dorado County, the positivity rate is at 11.8%, down from 12.5%. Yolo County bucks the Sacramento-area trend, as it has saw a rise in both its positivity rate and case numbers since a week ago. Its positivity rate still remains one of the lowest in the state, at 6.4% — up from 5.4% the previous week.
Sacramento Bee