Violence erupted near World Cup watch party in Koreatown; SoCal man ID’d, charged
iolence erupted near World Cup watch party in Koreatown; SoCal man ID’d, charged
A 19-year-old man who officials said opened fire and wounded a person near a World Cup viewing party in Koreatown last week has been identified and criminally charged, according to police and court records. Andy Rodriguez is facing one felony count of assault with a firearm on a person and two special allegations of using a firearm during the commission of a felony and causing great bodily injury, according to court records. Rodriguez remains jailed in lieu of a $1.1-million bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned June 30, records show. The Los Angeles Police Department said Rodriguez was arrested several minutes before 7 p.m. on June 18 after police officers responded to a report of a shooting at the intersection of Normandie Avenue and James M. Wood Boulevard in Koreatown. The shooting occurred near Seoul International Park, where hundreds had gathered to watch the Mexico vs. South Korea match that evening. Upon arriving, police officers came across one man who had been shot in the leg and required a tourniquet. Kitty-corner from that victim, a small crowd had detained the suspected gunman.
2 brothers killed, an ADU blown out: Fireworks already creating chaos in LA before Fourth of July
t doesn't have to the Fourth of July or any kind of a holiday. Los Angeles has no shortage of deadly incidents caused by illegal fireworks, including commercial-grade explosives that could take out an entire block or neighborhood. Last May, a 26-year-old man in Jefferson Park was killed after illegal fireworks blew up an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) attached to a garage, according to authorities. In a separate January incident in Bell Gardens, two brothers, 24 and 13 years old, were killed while the older brother was assembling illegal explosives. Ahead of the nation's 250th birthday, LA authorities expect to seize more illegal fireworks across the region. Just in 2025, some 285 tons or 570,000 pounds of dangerous explosives were found and confiscated across the county, making up half of the fireworks seized in the entire state of California, according to the LA County Fire Department. Illegal fireworks were also blamed for starting some 87 fires and causing millions of dollars in damage last year. With the elevated wildfire conditions, the LA County District Attorney's Office said it will prosecute anyone who makes, sells, buys and lights the fireworks. "It's all a crime. And we're going to prosecute everyone because it literally is about saving lives in the process," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a news conference Wednesday, alongside fire officials.
California officials use license plate readers, drones to crack down on porch pirates
With the help of license plate readers and drones, some law enforcement agencies in Southern California are becoming more aggressive in their fight to catch porch pirates. CBS California Investigates also obtained data from the Los Angeles Police Department that showed, between August 2024 and October 2025, there were 668 cases of petty theft from residential porches. In November 2024, there were 54 and 63 the following month. In February and March 2025, there were 44 reported cases each. CBS California Investigates obtained data from the Orange County Sheriff's Department between that same 14-month period, which showed that the most reported cases were 19 in December and 10 in July 2025. The county records residential petty theft, but it doesn't specify if items are taken from a porch, like the LAPD. Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent says property crime is the leading crime committed in his city. In December 2024, there were 84 cases of package theft and 44 in July 2025. To fight crime, Irvine police have been using aerial drones to follow suspects from residential areas and shopping malls.
BWC: Armed man waits for Ariz. officers to enter home after swatting call, points gun before OIS
New video and details have been released in the shooting of a man who pointed a gun at Pima County Sheriff’s deputies after making a false 911 call. Axeel Melendez, 23, was shot by deputies after they entered a home south of Tucson while responding to a reported shooting, the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, the multi-agency group that investigates local police shootings, said in a video report. The incident began at about 5:40 a.m. April 10 , when deputies responded to an emergency call from Melendez claiming his father had just shot his sister at their home in 1000 block of East Fenley Drive near Interstate 19, the release said. Deputies tried to enter the house through the front door and back door but were unsuccessful, the release said. A deputy then used a shovel to break a bedroom window at the back of the house. As deputies entered through the window, Melendez was waiting by the bedroom’s door and pointed a gun at the deputies, the release said. Two deputies opened fire, striking Melendez. Melendez was taken to a local hospital, the release said.
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson
Video: 17-year-old driver fleeing Mich. officers charged with causing fatal crash
A 17-year-old male from Detroit will face murder charges after a crash June 18 that resulted in the death of 48-year-old Remions Washington from Detroit. The incident started around 2 a.m. when Warren police officers noticed occupants of a silver Dodge Ram driving through neighborhoods wearing ski masks. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop ta Fairfield and Georgiana streets two blocks north of Eight Mile Road between Schoenherr Road and Groesbeck Highway. The 17-year-old driver drove away and traveled south on Schoenherr, continuing to flee from police for seven minutes, Warren police and Macomb County prosecutors said Wednesday when announcing the criminal charges. The driver failed to stop at a red light on Eight Mile Road and struck a vehicle driven by Washington. Washington was taken to a hospital by the Detroit Fire Department where he was pronounced dead. After striking the vehicle, the five occupants, who were between the ages of 11 and 17, fled the vehicle and were later apprehended by officers.
Public Safety News
Knockdown declared in Boyle Heights warehouse fire; health and economic uncertainty remain
A fire that has burned at a Boyle Heights warehouse for more than a week is finally out, officials said Wednesday evening, but residents in many Eastside communities were just beginning to assess the health implications from days of dirty air as well as significant economic losses. Knockdown was declared around 6 p.m. after the expiration of a particle pollution advisory that has kept residents inside and on edge for days as firefighters worked to get a handle on the hazardous situation. Fire Chief Jaime E. Moore had tasked crews with completing knockdown by the end of the day, hoping to wrap up the noxious and stubborn fire, which has burned for eight days. Crews are now transitioning to the overhaul phase of operations and will search the nearly 500,000-square-foot cold storage facility to locate hidden embers, extinguish hotspots and remove smoldering debris. During this time, drones equipped with infrared cameras will be used to identify hidden heat sources and allow crews to precisely direct high-volume water streams. Although smoke conditions in the surrounding area have improved significantly from the peak of the incident — when massive plumes of irritating smoke spread across the region — the Fire Department warned that some smoke might remain visible this week.
Sunland Care Facility Catches Fire
A fire broke out Wednesday at a Sunland care facility, but no injuries were reported. The fire was reported at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday at a three-story facility at 8155 W. Foothill Blvd., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Residents were told to shelter in place while crews searched for the source of the fire. The blaze was put out in 39 minutes, thanks to the efforts of the 58 firefighters who responded to the scene. The cause of the fire was not immediately apparent, an LAFD spokeswoman said.
Measles exposure reported at Hollywood Burbank Airport, county health officials say
Los Angeles County health officials announced Wednesday they are investigating a confirmed case of measles involving a traveler who may have exposed people to the highly contagious disease at Hollywood Burbank Airport and elsewhere in the county. The traveler arrived on Southwest Airlines Flight 4245 at Gate A4 on June 17. People who were at the gate between 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. that day may have been exposed, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. People also may have been exposed at Thrifty Rental Car Service, 2627 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, from 9:20 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. June 17 and from 10:25 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. June 18. Public health officials said this is the seventh confirmed case of measles reported in Los Angeles County this year. People exposed at the airport or Thrifty Rental Car on June 17 should monitor for symptoms through July 8, while those exposed at the rental car facility on June 18 should monitor through July 9. Officials said people who have had measles or received the recommended measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are likely protected but should still watch for symptoms. Those who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown face a higher risk of infection.
Local Government News
LA Council Vetoes Approval of Proposed Trucking Facility in Wilmington
Following opposition from Wilmington residents, the Los Angeles City Council Wednesday vetoed the Board of Harbor Commission’s approval of a proposed 18.4-acre truck parking project along John S. Gibson Boulevard and the Harbor (110) Freeway. In an 11-0 vote, the council approved what is known as a “245 motion” introduced by Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents the 15th Council District, which includes the Harbor Area. Section 245 of the City Charter gives the council the authority to review and veto certain actions by city boards and commissions. Council members Adrin Nazarian, Traci Park, Monica Rodriguez and Katy Yaroslavsky were absent during the vote.“(The vote) gives me an opportunity to have further conversations. We’ve had many, but (will) have further conversations with the proposed developer and the community, particularly the Wilmington community, who will not be housing this property, but will be taking the burden of the traffic that is anticipated,” McOsker said.
