Two Killed, Eight Wounded In New Year’s Day Shooting In Downtown L.A.

Two people were killed and eight others were wounded in a shooting at an underground New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Los Angeles early Monday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Shortly before 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day, officers received a radio call of a shooting in the area of 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. When they arrived at the cross streets they heard gunshots coming from nearby Porter Street and Santa Fe Avenue. A large crowd was fleeing the area, and several wounded people were lying on the street and sidewalk, police wrote in a news release. A man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Authorities initially reported three people had been wounded early Monday, but in an afternoon update said eight were injured in addition to the two who were killed. The wounded individuals were treated at hospitals, but police did not provide an update on their conditions. The shooting victims were attending a New Year’s Eve party in the 2300 block of Porter Street. Authorities believe a dispute between people at the gathering led to the shooting. No information on any suspects was immediately available. Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Det. Justin Howarth at (213) 996-4143. Anonymous tips can be directed to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Los Angeles Times

George Gascon To Face 11 Challengers In DA Primary

District Attorney George Gascon will face 11 challengers in the March 5 primary election, including five members of his office and two Los Angeles County Superior Court judges. The members of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office challenging Gascon are Jonathan Hatami, listed on the ballot as a child abuse prosecutor; Lloyd “Bobcat” Masson, a cold case prosecutor; John McKinney, supervising district attorney; Maria Ramirez, the head deputy D.A.; and Eric Siddall, a violent crimes prosecutor, according to the final list of qualified candidates released Saturday by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Los Angeles County Superior Court judges Debra Archuleta and Craig J. Mitchell have also qualified for the ballot. Under the California Constitution, judges are eligible to run for office as long as they take a leave of absence without pay, Rob Oftring, the communications director of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, told City News Service. David S. Milton, who retired as a Superior Court judge March 25, 2014, will also appear on the ballot. The other candidates are Jeff Chemerinsky, an assistant U.S. attorney; Nathan Hochman, a former U.S. assistant attorney general who was the Republican candidate for state attorney general in the 2022 general election; and criminal defense attorney Dan Kapelovitz.

MyNewsLA

Man Fatally Shot Near Metro K Line Station In Hyde Park, Police Say

A man was fatally shot during an argument Saturday near a Metro Station in Hyde Park, authorities said. The shooting happened around 12:43 p.m. on the walkway near the Hyde Park K Line Station on Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Investigators said the victim and the suspect got into some sort of argument. That's when the victim walked toward the Metro station platform when the suspect opened fire, shooting multiple rounds, according to police. Police say the suspect may have been armed with a semi-automatic handgun. The victim, who has not been identified, was rushed to a local hospital where he later died. The suspect, described as wearing a red shirt with a blue hooded sweatshirt and jeans, was last seen going eastbound on 59th Street from Crenshaw. According to police, this was the fifth shooting on Saturday in LAPD's 77th Division and the second murder.

ABC 7

One Dead After Shooting In Gramercy Park Area

A man is dead after a shooting in the Gramercy Park area of Los Angeles on Saturday. The incident happened just after 2:50 p.m. in the 1500 block of W. 94th Street, according to Los Angeles Police Department investigators. Officers arrived to find the victim, a 27-year-old man, inside of a car suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His identity has not yet been released. Investigators believe that the man was sitting in the car when he was approached by an unknown suspect who opened fire and fled. There was no further information provided. 

CBS 2

This LAPD Detective Connects Angelenos Through Mexican Mariachi Performance

Detective Chris Reza is not only a sworn LAPD officer of the law, but also a talented vocalist. Reza grew up on the east side of Los Angeles; he comes from a long line of law enforcement officers, and his mother was a mariachi. "I know what it's like to have crime at the foot of your doorstep," said Reza. At first, Reza said he kept his mariachi performances separate from his day job. But eventually, Reza recognized the powerful symbolism in combining the two. Today, the Los Angeles Police Officer performs to traditional Mexican music while wearing his law enforcement uniform. "That was a big sign for me that this is what my voice is for," said Reza. Reza has dedicated 24 years of his life to law enforcement, 20 of which have been spent at the Los Angeles Police Department. He hopes that his story inspires inclusion, working together and connection – especially through song. 

FOX 11

Man Fighting For His Life After Violent Hit-and-Run In Los Angeles

A young man is fighting for his life while police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck the victim over the weekend in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles. The incident occurred on Dec. 29 around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Westmoreland Avenue, authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to KTLA. Surveillance video shows the victim, 20-year-old James Ramirez, who works at a Wells Fargo Bank branch in Culver City, crossing the street to meet up with his friends after work when he appears to be struck by a dark colored vehicle. The 20-year-old was transported to the hospital where he remains in serious condition. “Right now, he’s still on a ventilator and needs assistance breathing,” his mother, Jessica Ramirez told KTLA. “He’s still not completely alert. He had to have brain surgery yesterday morning because he was bleeding. My son didn’t deserve to be hit and left on the road like he was trash.” His mother added that she’s hoping the person responsible for the tragedy is held accountable. Police said the suspect’s vehicle may be a four-door Dodge Charger and that anyone with information about the incident should contact authorities.

KTLA 5

Former UC Davis Student To Stand Trial For Stabbings Near Campus

A former college student accused of stabbing two people to death and wounding a third in Northern California was found competent to stand trial, a prosecutor said Thursday. Carlos Reales Dominguez will return to court on Jan. 5 and criminal proceedings will be reinstated if there isn’t any challenge to his mental state, according to Yolo County assistant chief deputy district attorney Melinda Aiello, the Sacramento Bee reported. Dominguez had been a third-year student at the University of California, Davis majoring in biological sciences until April 25, when he was expelled for academic reasons. Stabbings near campus began shortly after. He is charged in the deaths of a 50-year-old homeless man and a 20-year-old UC Davis student. A homeless woman who was attacked in her tent survived. The attacks terrified the community. Businesses closed early and some students were too scared to attend even daytime classes as their parents pleaded with them to return home.

FOX 11

14-Year-Old California Boy Accused Of Killing Parents, Injuring Younger Sister

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested this week on suspicion of killing his parents and critically injuring his younger sister in rural Fresno County, authorities said. The boy, whose name has not been released because he is a minor, faces two charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. Detectives have not determined a motive in the case. The boy’s parents, Lue Yang and Se Vang, both 37, were found dead by officers in the family’s Miramonte home around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said in the release. The boy’s 11-year-old sister “suffered major injuries” but is expected to survive. The boy placed a 911 call earlier to report that someone had broken into his home and attacked his mother, father and sister, then fled in a pickup truck, according to the news release. Detectives who spoke with the boy discovered “inconsistencies” with his story, determining he fabricated the story and had used “multiple weapons to attack his family members,” authorities said.

Los Angeles Times

18-Year-Old Charged With Killing Officer Who Witnessed Crime At North Carolina Gas Station

An 18-year-old suspect has been charged with killing an off-duty police officer who witnessed a crime at a North Carolina gas station, authorities said. Jamere Justice Foster, 18, was charged with felony first-degree murder, misdemeanor larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny following the death of Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix. Police said Foster stole $83.45 worth of beer from a Sheetz gas station in Colfax on Saturday, Dec. 30, and Nix was shot while trying to confront the suspect. Another off-duty Greensboro officer and a Guilford County paramedic immediately rendered aid, but Nix died at a local medical facility. “He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department and this community,” said Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson during a press conference. “We ask for prayers for the family of the fallen officer and our Greensboro PD family.” Two other people are also facing charges in connection with the incident. John Walter Morrison, 28, was charged with misdemeanor larceny, conspiracy and felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Zquriah Lepearce Blackwell, 18, was charged with felony accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

KTLA 5

Fire Destroys Large Commercial Building In Van Nuys

The roof of a large building collapsed as firefighters battled flames Sunday night in a commercial business area in Van Nuys. More than 100 firefighters knocked down the fire in the 6400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard in about 2 hours and 39 minutes. The building housed a textile businesses and church. Details about how the fire, reported at about 9:30 a.m. started were not immediately available. Flames were shooting about 30 feet out of the building when firefighters arrived. Firefighters initially entered the building to ventilate the roof, but then fought the fire from outside due to a roof collapse. The fire, fueled by textiles, did not spread to nearby businesses. No one was in the building. 

NBC 4

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Rancho Palos Verdes

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.1 struck off the coast in Los Angeles County Monday morning. The quake was reported around 8:27 a.m. just 11 miles south of Rancho Palos Verdes at a depth of 7 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Over 2,000 people in the Los Angeles County area reported feeling the quake, according to the USGS website. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn posted about the quake on X: "Did anyone else feel it? I did!" Many people responded, saying they felt some vibrations and mild shaking. There were no reports of any damage or injuries were reported in the area, according to the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. A watch commander at the Lomita Sheriff's Station, which covers Rancho Palos Verdes, also said there have been no reports of damage. 

CBS 2

Public Health Officials Reinstate Mask Mandate At LA County Health Care Facilities

Los Angeles County has reinstated a mask-wearing requirement for staff and visitors at all licensed health care facilities in light of an upswing in coronavirus metrics, officials said Saturday. The county recently entered the "medium" level of COVID-19 hospital admissions, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Over the past week in Los Angeles County, there have been notable, yet not unexpected, increases in COVID-19 reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths," the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement. "While recent increases are significant, they remain considerably below last winter's peak and common-sense protections are strongly recommended to help curb transmission and severe illness as the new year begins." The threshold for the CDC's medium level is between 10 and 19.9 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 population over seven days. The CDC reported 10.5 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 people in Los Angeles County for the week ending Dec. 23. 

CBS 2

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.