Man Who Fatally Stabbed UCLA Grad Student Brianna Kupfer Found Guilty Of Murder

Jurors took little more than an hour on Tuesday to convict a man of murder in the stabbing death of UCLA graduate student Brianna Kupfer as she worked in a Hancock Park boutique furniture store. Shawn Laval Smith, a 34-year-old transient with a lengthy criminal record, was found guilty of murder with the special circumstances of lying in wait, as well as committing the crime with a deadly weapon, a knife. On Jan. 13, 2022, Smith stabbed Kupfer 46 times as she worked alone in the upscale Croft House. Prosecutors and LAPD detectives say the Pacific Palisades resident had texted a friend about 1:36 p.m. to say she felt uncomfortable about a person who was in the store. The friend did not immediately respond, according to investigators. About 20 minutes later, a customer found Kupfer on the floor covered in blood. The sanity phase of the trial is set to begin Oct. 2. Smith could receive a sentence of life without the possibility of parole if the judge determines he was sane at the time of the crime. Smith, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, has waived a jury trial for this phase.

Los Angeles Times

Patrons Held Up At Gunpoint Outside Popular San Fernando Valley Steak House

Two customers were said to have been held up at gunpoint by a suspect who demanded their belongings and then fled from a popular steak house in Sherman Oaks Monday night. Police responded to reports of a man with a gun at BLVD Steak in the 13000 block of Ventura Boulevard around 9:30 p.m. Witnesses told police that a suspect with a gold-colored gun robbed a man and a woman as they were leaving the steak house. The victims went back into the restaurant after the incident causing some patrons to run out the back door. Panicked customers were seen talking to police in the street after the incident. At least one person said they heard gunshots but officers could not find any evidence of a shooting, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Cervantes said. A cellphone that was taken from one of the victims was found near the scene, Cervantes said.

KTLA 5

Attempted Home Invasion In Encino, Records Indicate Home Owned By Reggie Bush

Police are investigating an attempted home invasion in Encino that is owned by former USC star running back Reggie Bush. Police responded to the scene at around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday night on the 4700 block of Noeline Avenue near Ventura Boulevard. When officers arrived, they found broken glass at the back of the home. It’s unclear if the suspect or suspects got inside or if any property was taken. According to neighbors, the individual who lives in the home is a notable person. Public records indicate that the property is owned by Bush. KTLA 5 is working to confirm if the former New Orleans Saints star currently lives in the home. The attempted home invasion comes after a recent rash of home invasions within the San Fernando Valley this summer, particularly in the Encino area. At least eight were reported in July, including one incident where three thieves smashed through the back door of a rapper’s home, another where a woman walked in on four suspects burglarizing her residence and a third — and fourth — incident where the same multi-million dollar home was targeted twice in less than a week.

KTLA 5

19-Year-Old Woman With Depression Missing From MacArthur Park Area

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Tuesday to find a 19-year-old woman with depression who was last seen in the MacArthur Park area. Maya Starr Newson was last seen between Wednesday and Thursday in the 2200 block of West Sixth Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Newson was described as a 5-foot-9-inch tall Black woman weighing 130 pounds with black hair and hazel eyes. She also has a snake tattoo on her left hand and was last seen wearing blue jeans and an orange sweater. Sheriff’s officials said that Newson’s family is concerned about her well-being due to her medical condition. Anyone with information regarding Newson’s whereabouts was urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Missing Person Details at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

MyNewsLA

Chilean Man Pleads Not Guilty To Alleged Exploitation Of LACo Girl

A 21-year-old Chilean man who officials say developed an inappropriate relationship with an underage Los Angeles County girl he met virtually and then flew to the United States to meet her pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges. Daniel Aravena Oliva allegedly spent several months “manipulating and grooming” the 14-year-old victim through online platforms, including the gaming platform Roblox, before he was arrested on suspicion of child exploitation and the production of child pornography upon arriving at LAX in August, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Glendora Police Department. Oliva pleaded not guilty in downtown Los Angeles to multiple federal offenses, including enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and possession of child pornography, prosecutors said. Trial was tentatively set for Oct. 29. Investigators say they learned that over six months, Oliva had manipulated and groomed the teen through various online platforms.

MyNewsLA

Southern California Child Molester Sentenced To 325 Years In Prison

A Southern California man was sentenced to 325 years in prison for repeatedly molesting young children. Jesus Andrew Sapien, 44, of Port Hueneme was sentenced Tuesday for sexually abusing three children, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. In May 2020, the mother of a 6-year-old girl reported the molestation to detectives with the Port Hueneme Police Department. The young victim told her mother that Sapien had molested her several times over many months, authorities said. As the case was being investigated, two additional children came forward as victims of repeated sexual abuse by Sapien. Police said Sapien was exposed to the victimized children through a familial relationship. “The defendant betrayed the trust of a close-knit family to commit unspeakable acts of sexual abuse against multiple children,” said Benjamin Moreno, a Ventura County District Attorney who prosecuted the case. “Today’s sentence reflects the severity of those crimes.”

KTLA 5

CHP Searching For ‘Armed And Dangerous’ Teen Who Abducted Toddler 

The California Highway Patrol has issued an AMBER Alert for a missing 9-month-old child who was abducted by a teenager. According to a CHP bulletin, the victim is 9-month-old Jaydan Avalos, and his alleged abductor is 18-year-old David Avalos. Their relationship was not disclosed. Jaydan is described as being exactly 2 feet tall and weighing 20 pounds. David Avalos is described as standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and the clothing he was last seen wearing is not known. He should be considered armed and dangerous, authorities said. CHP stated that the pair were last seen in a red 2017 Lexus IS 200T, with the California license plate 9DDZ693, at the intersection of Normandie Avenue and West 228th Street in West Carson; however, the bulletin indicates David was last seen in Huntington Park. Anyone who sees David, Jaydan or the vehicle is urged to call 911. 

KTLA 5

Man Charged With Murder Of California Nudist Ranch Couple Pleads Not Guilty

The Redlands man charged with the murder of his neighbors and whose remains were found under his home pleaded not guilty in court Monday. Michael Royce Sparks, 62, the neighbor of Daniel Menard, 79, and his wife, Stephanie Menard, 73, is accused of killing the couple who disappeared from the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort in San Bernardino County in late August. According to police, the Menards were last seen at the Olive Dell Ranch around 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. They were reported missing the next day. The couple's disappearance remained a mystery until Aug. 29, when police announced that the Menards' neighbor was a person of interest. Police said investigators received a tip, prompting them to obtain a search warrant "to try and locate the suspect." "We suspect that there may have been foul play," Redlands Police Department spokesman Carl Baker said during a news conference. The investigation accelerated that day as police dismantled Sparks' home with heavy equipment, looking for him. Later that night, around 9:30 p.m., Sparks was found underneath his home and surrendered to police.

CBS 2

BWC: Man Grabs Officer’s Gun After Regaining Consciousness From Vehicle Crash, Leading To Fatal OIS

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting of a man who grabbed an officer’s service weapon, WTOP reported. The shooting occurred on Sept. 1 after police responded to a crash at a McDonald’s, according to the report. Officers arrived to find a man unresponsive in his vehicle, which had crashed into the restaurant. Police said a firearm was visible on the man’s lap. In the body camera video, the man can be seen partially lowering his driver’s side window as he regained consciousness and officers surrounded the car. One officer placed his service weapon through the window while repeatedly shouting commands for the man to raise his hands and not touch the weapon. “He’s grabbing the officer’s weapon,” Chief Pamela Smith said, describing the footage. “There is an exchange of words and the officer … discharges his weapon.” Two officers fired approximately 12 shots at the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

PoliceOne

Firefighters Extinguish House Fire In Winnetka

Firefighters made quick work Tuesday of a house fire in Reseda, and no injuries were reported. The fire was reported around 4:20 p.m. in the 20500 block of West Hart Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. It took 30 firefighters 23 minutes to contain and fully extinguish the flames burning toward the rear of the residence. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

MyNewsLA

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.