Stabbing reported in front of high school in Highland Park
Law Enforcement News
Stabbing reported in front of high school in Highland Park
A person was stabbed and attempted to enter the campus of a high school in Highland Park, prompting law enforcement response, police said Thursday. The incident was first reported at around 12:30 p.m. as the Los Angeles Fire Department was requested to send crews to Benjamin Franklin Senior High School on Avenue 54. The school was placed on a brief lockdown as it sought assistance from the Los Angeles School Police Department. School police and the Los Angeles Police Department conducted an investigation into the incident. "In an abundance of caution, the Los Angeles School Police Department will be providing extra patrols around our school," the Los Angeles School Police Department said. At least one rescue ambulance was sent to the school.
With gangs behind many SoCal break-ins, experts explain how to protect your home
Over the past few months, we've covered a string of home break-ins in the San Fernando Valley and beyond. So who's behind the crime, how do you best protect your home, and are break-ins actually surging? Those are all questions our 7 On Your Side Investigates team had. And we got answers. Even though some neighborhoods have been hit hard, the numbers show burglaries are actually trending down. In LAPD's Valley Division, police data shows there have been 504 burglaries and break-ins so far this year. That sounds like a lot, but that is down more than 40% from where that number stood this time last year. Across Los Angeles, there have been 1,437 burglaries and break-ins year-to-date. For the same time period in 2025, there were just over 2,100. That's the good news. The bad news is there are still hundreds of homeowners being victimized. And police say savvy South American and local gangs are behind many of these break-ins. "Nine times out of 10, if somebody does come into your house, they're going straight to the primary bedroom," said David Ellis with Superior Alarm Systems. Ellis says that's because thieves are going after high-end purses, jewelry and cash.
Los Angeles police increase security at places of worship following Michigan synagogue shooting
Following a shooting at a synagogue in Michigan on Thursday afternoon, the Los Angeles Police Department is increasing security around places of worship. The LAPD said it is closely monitoring the situation and at the preliminary stage, there is no known threat to LA. "The LAPD remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse communities," a statement from the department said. "Out of an abundance of caution, the Department has increased visible patrols around houses of worship and associated schools, as well as cultural centers across the City." On Thursday afternoon, law enforcement in West Bloomfield, Michigan, responded to reports of an active shooter at Temple Israel after a vehicle rammed into the building. Officials said the suspect drove through the doors of the building and down a hallway. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the man exited the vehicle with a rifle and was then shot by synagogue security, though officials did not confirm how he died.
Security at the Oscars will be even tighter this year amid war with Iran, LAPD sources say
Just days away from the Oscars, security for the event is the tightest it's ever been amid the ongoing war with Iran. The area around Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue is blocked off as work continues to set up the red carpet area outside the Dolby Theater. Guards and crews are on high alert. "It's been gated since we got here. The gate is pretty tall. I haven't seen anybody even trying to get in," said Adam Scherr, of Iowa. Security is always tight at the Oscars, but sources with the Los Angeles Police Department tell ABC News News this year will be tighter than ever with the war in Iran and threats of possible retaliation. Commander Randy Goddard, LAPD'S incident commander for the Oscars, says they've been preparing for the Oscars for months. It's an event with some 3,500 guests, in addition to all of those working in and around the venue. Some of the visible security resources include K-rails and fencing along Hollywood Boulevard.
Suspicious item at North Hollywood thrift store deemed safe
A suspicious item found at a thrift store in North Hollywood was deemed safe after it prompted a response from the bomb squad Thursday afternoon. Sky5 was over the scene at Magnolia Boulevard and Vineland Avenue at 1:30 p.m., where the bomb squad was seen walking into the store. Police reportedly received a call at 12:15 p.m. about a possible suspicious item that may have been donated. The thrift store was reportedly evacuated as a precaution. The item was deemed safe at 2:50 p.m., according to the LAPD. No further information was available about what the suspicious item was.
Feds say teen sex trafficker arrested in sweeping Southern California operation
A 30-year-old man from Los Angeles is accused of trafficking two of the 37 minors rescued in and around Southern California earlier this month during Operation Safe Return. The sweeping operation, which ran from March 2 to 6, was spearheaded by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, along with federal agents and local law enforcement partners. Investigators identified 50 children between the ages of 14 and 17 who had been missing from one month to two years. Nearly 40 kids were rescued in California, Arizona and Nevada, many of whom had been victims of sexual assault and trafficking, officials said. While seven people were arrested during the operation, some 13 cases remain open and active. Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles, has identified one of the suspects as Shannon Devon Hilt, who was reportedly trafficking two girls, aged 14 and 15.
14 million doses of fentanyl seized from secret drug lab in Mexico
Mexico's government said Thursday it had seized 14 million doses of fentanyl, the latest major haul in a drive to stem the flow of the powerful opioid into the United States. The Public Security ministry said the drugs were found during raids on a clandestine drug laboratory and warehouse in the municipality of Villa de Alvarez in violence-hit western Colima state. At the warehouse, police found "approximately 270 kilograms of a substance with characteristics similar to fentanyl, both in powder and pill form," which the ministry said was equivalent to about 14 million doses. It said six people were arrested but did not say when the operation took place nor give the estimated street value of the drugs. It was not a record for fentanyl hauls, officials told AFP, pointing to a 2024 operation that yielded a ton more of the drug. The raids come as President Trump ramps up his criticism of Mexico's record on fighting drug trafficking, despite the recent capture and killing of a notorious drug lord.
Public Safety News
Warning about new synthetic opioid said to be 10x stronger than fentanyl, detected in California
There’s a warning about a dangerous new synthetic opioid that’s said to be 10 times stronger than fentanyl. Several states, including California, have detected cychlorphine mixed with illegal street drugs. It has reportedly also been detected in New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas, Washington and Nevada. The potent opioid has been linked to multiple overdose deaths, including 19 in Tennessee. “Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than that of heroin, and then the cychlorphine is 10 times more powerful than fentanyl,” Jim Joyner, president of the Ohio Association of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselors, told The Hill. “So, you’re talking about very minute amounts of the drug that could be potentially lethal.” Experts said cychlorphine is especially dangerous because it is not detectable through fentanyl test strips. It is believed that Narcan will still effectively treat an overdose caused by cychlorphine.
Firefighters rush to extinguish flames at vacant downtown LA business
Firefighters rushed to downtown Los Angeles to extinguish flames that engulfed a vacant business Thursday afternoon. The fire started at around 4:25 p.m. in a row of single-story commercial properties in the 1330 block of S. Main Street, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters went into offensive mode, meaning they were right next to the flames as they tried to douse the fire. The flames spread to three of the buildings attached to the business. Just under 100 firefighters responded to the scene. They were able to knock down the fire within 25 minutes. LAFD said there were no injuries during the fire.
LA Hospital Seeks Help ID’ing Man in His 70s from Trinidad
Hospital officials asked for the public’s help Thursday identifying a man in his 70s who was brought to Los Angeles General Medical Center about three months ago. The patient, who claims he is from Caribbean island of Trinidad, was brought to the Boyle Heights facility after being found down in the area of 5500 S. Compton Ave., according to officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, which runs the hospital. The man is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 156 pounds and has gray hair and brown eyes. Although man stated he was from Trinidad, he “remains disoriented and unable to provide further identifying information or details regarding family members,” according to a statement from the county health department. Anyone with information about the patient was urged to call senior clinical social worker Marlen Bonilla at 323-409-3877. The Los Angeles General Medical Center Department of Social Work can be reached by calling 323-409-5253.
Hospital seeks help identifying patient in Mission Hills
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is asking for the public’s help identifying a man who was brought to the hospital in Mission Hills earlier this week without identification. The patient was found around 5:10 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in front of a residence near 13900 W. Hubbard St., hospital officials said. He was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center after being discovered confused and incoherent. Medical staff says he had no identification and has not yet been identified. The man is described as an Asian male believed to be between 60 and 70 years old, standing about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing roughly 130 pounds. He has brown eyes, a receding hairline, and a gray-and-black beard and mustache, according to the hospital. Several of his front teeth also appear to be missing. Hospital officials are asking anyone who may recognize the patient or have information that could help identify him to call Providence Holy Cross Medical Center at 818-365-8051.
Firefighters respond to medical emergency at Sunland care home; 6 patients hospitalized
Los Angeles fire officials responded to a medical emergency with several patients at a board and care home in Sunland Thursday afternoon, officials said. L.A. City Fire confirmed six patients were transported to the hospital in fair condition. Sky5’s Rich Prickett was over the scene in the 10500 block of Whitegate Avenue. L.A. City Fire arrived at the scene at about 12:10 p.m. in response to an elder abuse call, according to the LAPD. They reportedly then requested an additional ambulance at the location. No further information was provided about what prompted the elder abuse call or if anyone was taken into custody.
