Man Charged With Murder In Shooting Of 2 Brothers Sitting In Parked Car In Exposition Park

Man Charged With Murder In Shooting Of 2 Brothers Sitting In Parked Car In Exposition Park

Murder charges have been filed against a 33-year-old man suspected of shooting two brothers to death in the Exposition Park area, prosecutors announced Monday. Marcos Navarro, 33, faces two counts of murder for the June 1 killings of Sergio Rios, 33, and Ricardo Rios, 19, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. It is also alleged that Navarro personally used a firearm in the commission of the crime. The shooting happened around 2 p.m. near the intersection of Budlong Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The two brothers were in their parked car when the suspect fired multiple rounds and shot them outside their home, prosecutors said. Sergio died at the scene and Ricardo later died at a hospital. Family members said the brothers did everything together and were getting food for the family before the shooting. At a Monday news conference attended by the victims' family, police said investigators believe there's no connection between Navarro and the brothers. "This person took away our future... We have two twins who are 2 years old, and we he had plans for them, to raise them," Sergio's wife Mabel Lopez said alongside the family.

ABC 7

Ex-Convict Sentenced To Life In Prison For Killing Pomona Police Officer In 2018

An ex-convict was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for murdering a Pomona Police Department officer and wounding his partner in 2018 after a pursuit. It happened on March 9, 2018, when Isaias De Jesus Valencia, 45, led officers on a brief pursuit after they were dispatched for reports of a suspected DUI driver. When they tried to pull him over, Valenica instead led them on a chase that ended when he crashed into a parked car and ran into his apartment in the 1400 block of South Palomares Street. As officer tried to open his door, Valencia fired six shots, striking Officer Greggory Casillas in the head and his partner, Officer Alex Nguyen, in the cheek. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital where Casillas later died. Valencia was finally taken into custody by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies at the end of a 15-hour standoff. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in April after jurors deliberated for less than a day. The panel also found true special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer in the performance of his duties and murder for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest. Additionally, they also found true allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun. On top of life without parole, Superior Court Judge Mike Camacho handed Valencia a separate sentence of 278 years to life on Monday. 

CBS 2

Rebecca Grossman Gets 15 Years To Life For Murder Of Boys Killed In Crosswalk

A judge on Monday sentenced Rebecca Grossman to 15 years to life in prison for the murders of two brothers she struck while speeding through a Westlake Village crosswalk four years ago, saying her actions were “reckless and unquestionably negligent.” After hearing Nancy Iskander, the mother of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander, angrily ask for the sentence to reflect the deaths of both her boys, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Brandolino sentenced the philanthropist to two concurrent terms, plus another concurrent three years for fleeing the scene of the fatal crash. “She is a coward,” Iskander said of Grossman. But Brandolino said Grossman is “not a monster as the prosecutors portrayed her to be.” Appearing in court with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing a brown shirt over a white T-shirt and slacks, Grossman, 60, agreed to pay $47,161.89 in restitution to the Iskander family. Her lawyers say the co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation had already donated $25,000 for funeral expenses. “I never saw anyone,” Grossman said during sentencing. “I would have driven into a brick wall. ... I don’t know why God did not take my life.” She said she went into a state of denial after the collision and shut down. Looking at Nancy Iskander, she said tearfully, “My pain is a fraction of your pain.”

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Family Holds ‘Graduation' Ceremony For Teen Killed In 2023 Shooting

The family of a teenager who was shot and killed after a birthday party held a “graduation” ceremony in Long Beach on the first anniversary of his death. Quincy Reese Jr. died following a nightclub shooting in South Los Angeles on June 10, 2023 with a gunshot wound to the head. The "graduation" ceremony was took place at El Dorado Park West in Long Beach in lieu of the fact that the teen had not yet even graduated high school when his life was cut short at just 16 years old. "We waited so long -- for so very long for this moment. And it wasn't supposed to be like this," Paradisha Cooperwood, his mom said while wearing a blue graduation gown. "He was supposed to be here to celebrate himself." According to his family, the Crenshaw High teen excelled in sports and academics. The non-profit Hoop Justice has since created an Annual Memorial Scholarship to honor Reese Jr.’s life. Homicide investigators said that even though hundreds of kids attended the party that night, very few have come forward with any information. A year later, still no arrests have been made. Quincy Reese Sr. said he and his family continue to call the LAPD for updates to no avail. The family has put forward a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of his killer.

NBC 4

Housekeeper Says She Woke Up To Man In Hollywood Hills Home Where She Was Sleeping: LAPD

A housekeeper called police after she reportedly woke up and found a man in the room where she was sleeping. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the housekeeper called 911 just before 2:45 a.m. Monday to report a man in the home she was in, located in the 2700 block of Rinconia Drive in Hollywood Hills. Initial investigation revealed that two suspects shattered a glass door to gain access to the home, LAPD said; it was not immediately known if any items were taken. The suspects were described as two men wearing all black who fled in a black sedan, believed to be a Honda or an Audi. No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Yahoo! News

Incarcerated Man Who Walked Away From Facility In LA Area Located

A 53-year-old man who walked away from a Male Community Reentry Program facility in the Los Angeles area was located and taken into custody Monday. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials apprehended Anthony Tarin around 10:35 a.m. Monday in Monterey Park without incident and took him to the Los Angeles County jail for booking. “At about 6:13 p.m. (Sunday), officials were alerted that incarcerated person Anthony Tarin had walked out of an MCRP facility,” the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement. Moments later, agents were notified that Tarin had removed his GPS device, prompting the CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety and other local law enforcement agencies to assist in the search for the inmate. “Tarin was received from Los Angeles County on Oct. 24, 2023,” the CDCR said. “He was sentenced to two years, eight months for attempted robbery, a second-strike offense.” Tarin had been housed at the reentry program facility since April 8.

MyNewsLA

Stalker Gets 43 Months In Prison

A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced Monday to three years and seven months in federal prison for making a series of threats toward a woman while referencing a desire to shoot at synagogues and “exterminate” Jewish people and Asian Americans. Andre Lackner, 35, of Northridge, pleaded guilty in January in downtown Los Angeles to one count of stalking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to court documents, from June 2021 to October 2022, Lackner sent a series of abusive text messages to the victim. In the messages, Lackner made a series of antisemitic remarks, including, “Hitler was right about you people,” “I want to see every single Jew exterminated from this Earth,” “Would you like to celebrate the next synagogue shooting?” and “I will make sure I kill a Jew before I leave this Earth.” Lackner also texted the woman multiple racist statements against Asian Americans, including “We need to start more Asian hate and wipe” Asian people “off the planet too,” court papers show. The text messages Lackner sent to the victim placed her in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury to herself or one of her immediate family members, according to court documents. Lackner has been in federal custody since December 2022.

MyNewsLA

More Than 400 LEOs Involved In California Cartel Raid Yielding 36 Arrests

Federal agents arrested 36 people, including a U.S. Border Patrol agent, allegedly linked to a California-based drug, firearms and money laundering network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel. Agents raided locations far and wide on Wednesday, serving search warrants in the Imperial Valley, San Diego, Fresno and Los Angeles, along with Phoenix, Ariz., and Salem, Ore, the Department of Justice announced in a news release. All told, 47 people have been charged in connection with the alleged crime network. Among those arrested was U.S. Border Patrol agent Alexander Grindley, who was accused of methamphetamine trafficking. Grindley is also linked to multiple spinoff investigations in the case and in other jurisdictions, according to authorities. Eleven people named in the federal charges remain at large. More than 400 federal, state and local police agencies were involved in the raids. Since the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation began, federal agents have seized more than 700 pounds of methamphetamine, 52 guns and 4 kilograms of fentanyl. An undisclosed amount of cocaine and heroin were also seized by federal agents during their investigation. The suspects named in the 14 indictments unsealed Wednesday are charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and gun-related offenses, the Department of Justice said. Their operations were run out of Brawley, El Centro, Westmoreland, Imperial, Calexico, Niland, Holtville and Calipatria in California’s Imperial Valley, according to authorities. The suspects also operated out of Mexicali, Mexico. The suspects belonged to multiple trafficking operations that were part of a network supplying Imperial County and other locations with drugs, federal prosecutors alleged.

Los Angeles Times

Virginia Deputy Dies After Suffering Medical Emergency During Altercation With Suspect

A deputy with the Charles City County Sheriff’s Office died following a medical emergency that occurred during an altercation involving law enforcement, EMS and an individual, WRIC reported. On June 9, a Charles City County Sheriff’s deputy was monitoring traffic when an individual on a moped approached the deputy’s vehicle, according to the report. The moped fell onto the vehicle, and the deputy noticed blood on the individual, prompting him to inquire about their condition. The individual repeatedly told the deputy that people were after him and trying to kill him, according to the report. The deputy placed the individual in the back of his vehicle and called EMS for further observation. When Charles City County Fire and EMS arrived, they transferred the individual into an ambulance. Several minutes later, the individual became combative and struck the deputy, leading to a struggle involving law enforcement and EMS personnel, according to the report. Sergeant Floyd H. Miles ,Jr. responded to assist the deputy and joined in the struggle. During the altercation, Miles suffered a medical emergency, according to the report. He was rushed to a nearby medical center where he later died. The individual involved was transported to an area hospital for examination and observation. Miles, a lifelong resident of Charles City County, served with the sheriff’s office for 16 years and supervised patrol and animal control, according to the report. The Officer Down Memorial Page reported that he was a U.S. Army veteran. He is survived by his wife, three stepsons, grandson, parents and siblings, according to the page.

PoliceOne

Bedridden Man Killed In House Fire In Los Angeles; Elderly Wife Able To Escape 

A bedridden elderly man was killed in a house fire in Los Angeles on Monday morning, but his elderly wife was able to escape. The blaze was first reported just after 10:30 a.m. at 2519 W. 74th St. in L.A.’s Hyde Park neighborhood, according to preliminary information released by the Los Angeles Fire Department. Responding fire crews arrived to find the 101-year-old house – which was not equipped with smoke detectors – completely involved in flames; it took 43 firefighters less than 15 minutes to access, confine and fully extinguish the fire, LAFD said. “Despite the lack of any smoke alarms within the 101-year-old residence, an elder female became aware of the fire and was able to escape from the rear of the home,” LAFD said. The woman, whose age and name were not immediately released, was not injured. Her husband, said to be bedridden by LAFD, was discovered lifeless in the front of the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No injuries to firefighters were reported. 

KTLA 5

1 Hospitalized, Building Evacuated For Hazardous Materials Investigation In Chatsworth

One person was hospitalized and a building was evacuated during a hazardous material investigation in Chatsworth on Monday. Firefighters arrived at a commercial building in the 20700 block of W. Marilla Street at around 1 p.m. after learning of a "vapor cloud" behind the structure, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. More than 30 people were evacuated from the building as a team of investigators arrived to determine the nature of the substance. Eight people were evaluated by paramedics at the, one of which, a man in his 50s, required hospitalized with "minor medical complaints," firefighters said. No further information was provided. 

CBS 2

U.S. Police & Fire Championships Kick Off In San Diego

The 57th annual U.S. Police & Fire Championships kicked off over the weekend in San Diego, happening at more than 25 venues across San Diego County from Saturday, June 8 to Saturday, June 15. Close to 3,000 first responders from across the nation are in town for the Olympic-style athletic event that includes competition in 38 different sports, from hockey, bench press, and pickle ball to track and field. On Sunday, participants threw their best shots in the cornhole competition. “Everyone just bands together. We’ve made so many friends doing this. It doesn’t matter which department you’re from we all just become friends,” said Brian McDonald, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. The U.S. Police & Fire Championships have been going on in San Diego since 1967. Jim King, the president of the California Police Athletic Federation, says the general idea was to promote fitness, but to also create camaraderie among the different groups of law enforcement. “This is an avenue to let loose and reconnect with folks. Our slogan is competition, camaraderie and commitment,” said King.

Fox 5 San Diego

LA Considers Ending Controversial Vaccine Mandate For City Employees

Nearly three years after a vaccine requirement was implemented for its employees, the Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote on rescinding the mandate. The proposed ordinance would terminate the city’s COVID-19 vaccination policy for all current and future city workers retroactive to June 2. The ordinance would also establish a pathway back to employment for city workers who had been terminated for non-compliance. According to the motion authored by Councilwoman Traci Park and Council President Paul Krekorian, the city took unprecedented steps to "protect the health of its workforce and residents, which included the adoption of a vaccine mandate. The policy resulted in an 82% vaccination rate among full-time city employees." Vaccinated people can still contract and transmit COVID, but health officials said the shots can lower the severity of symptoms and prevent the chances of hospitalization and even death. "It makes clear that individuals who were terminated or separated from employment related to the vaccine mandate are eligible for rehire. This is related to a motion that I introduced last year to repeal this mandate to catch us up with the feds, the state, the county, our local school district and to end barriers to employment in the city," said Councilmember Park appearing on the FOX 11 News at 6 p.m. with Marla Tellez ahead of Tuesday’s vote. 

FOX 11

LA City Council To Consider Actions For Concerns With Self-Driving Vehicles

As concerns remain about the operation of driver-less vehicles in Los Angeles, the City Council Tuesday will consider taking steps intended to bolster their ability to regulate them. Councilmembers are expected to consider recommendations to monitor and address issues with what are also known as autonomous vehicles in the city. Additionally, as part of the item, council will consider backing three state bills aimed at providing municipalities more power to regulate AVs, and gain access to testing data. The city's Chief Legislative Analyst brought forward these recommendations after the City Council adopted a motion introduced by council members Traci Park and Bob Blumenfield in November 2023. The motion called for details around local, state and federal laws that govern the use of AVs, options for the city to gain access to testing data, and opportunities to support legislation that would empower Los Angeles elected officials in regulating AVs within city limits. In March, the California Public Utilities Commission authorized Waymo, an AV company, to expand its operations in the Los Angeles area. The company then soon launched its Waymo One service, a driver-less ride-hailing service in a 63-square mile area stretching from Santa Monica and Venice to downtown Los Angeles.

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.