Woman Sentenced To 35 Years To Life For Slaying Of Hollywood Consultant In Los Angeles

A woman who pleaded guilty to killing entertainment consultant and social justice advocate Michael Latt was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison on Wednesday. Jameelah Elena Michl had been stalking and threatening film director A.V. Rockwell and targeted Latt because he was Rockwell’s friend, prosecutors and police said. Michl pleaded guilty last month to charges of first-degree murder and first-degree burglary in connection with the November attack. Latt was a consultant whose company focused on social impact in film and entertainment. He worked with “Selma” director Ava DuVernay and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler, among many others, and his death was mourned throughout Hollywood. “As a tireless advocate for social justice, Mr. Latt championed equality, justice and equity in our criminal legal system,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “Mr. Latt’s ability to uplift the community left an indelible mark. His legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for a more just and inclusive society.” Prosecutors alleged that Michl knocked on the door of Latt’s Los Angeles home on Nov. 27, 2023, forced her way in and fatally shot him with a semi-automatic handgun. He was declared dead at a hospital.

KTLA 5

LA Burglaries Rise, With Homes Being The More Frequent Target

LA's Police Chief said this week that the number of burglaries reported in the City in 2024 increased by 4%, and that more than half of the locations targeted were residences -- a shift away from a spike in commercial and business burglaries reported last year. "These are happening very quickly," Chief Dominic Choi told the Board of Police Commissioners Tuesday, describing thieves' evolving tactics to spend less time inside a location. "We're not seeing the entire house being ransacked," he said. "These individuals that are conducting these high-end burglaries know what they're looking for, and they're in and out in a few minutes." Data gleaned from early 2024 crime reports showed the largest increases were in areas patrolled by the LAPD's Wilshire, Rampart, and Hollywood Divisions, and there were slightly more break-ins on Wednesdays and Fridays. The LAPD stopped providing public access to crime data in March while it reconfigured its systems to match new national crime reporting standards set by the FBI, so the trend reported by the Chief could not be verified. That partial data also showed most burglaries occurred in the evening hours.

NBC 4

Burglars Break Into Encino Home With Babysitter, 2 Kids Inside

Terrifying moments in Encino Thursday morning after burglars broke into a home and just barely avoided running into a babysitter with two young children inside. It all happened after midnight at a home north of Ventura Boulevard off Libbet and Moorpark, according to police. The babysitter with the two kids, ages 2 and 4, was woken up by the sound of breaking glass and burglars downstairs. She immediately locked herself and the kids in a room as she called 911. The burglars made it all the way to second floor and ransacked the master bedroom, FOX 11 has learned. But apparently, the noise that she made getting to the children alerted the burglary crew that was downstairs, telling them that the house wasn't empty as police believe they probably thought, so they all ran off. It's unclear if they even took anything with them. Police discovered the suspects got in by shattering a back sliding glass door, and they also left that way.

FOX 11

Suspects Crash Car Into South Los Angeles Store, Steal $25K Of Merchandise

Authorities are looking for a group of suspects who crashed a car into a store in the Gramercy Park area and burglarized the business on Thursday. The crime occurred about 3:15 a.m. in the 2100 block of Century Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The store owner said around $25,000 worth of shoes were taken along with $500 worth of clothing. Investigators believe the car used in the crash was stolen after the group ditched the car and ran off with the merchandise. No arrests have been made yet.

CBS 2

Man Accused Of Damaging Inside Of Larchmont Rite Aid Store In Vandalism Rampage

A man was taken into custody after going on a rampage and damaging the inside of a Rite Aid in the Larchmont area of Los Angeles. The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday on North Larchmont Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The man, who was described as a possible transient, was under the influence of some sort of substance, police added. Witnesses say the man destroyed the inside of the store, damaged products and even the cash registers. He was arrested for felony vandalism. An estimated $4,000 worth of damages was left behind, police said. 

ABC 7

Metro Prioritizes Public Safety In 'State Of The Agency' Address

As Southern California gears up to host major global events, Metro officials Wednesday emphasized its commitment to public safety amid ongoing challenges with widely publicized violent crimes. Metro officials gathered Wednesday morning at Union Station to present the annual "State of the Agency" address. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, completing her one-year term as chair of the board of directors, and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins highlighted the agency's milestones. These included the five- year plan to establish the Transit Community Public Safety Department, bringing law enforcement services in-house, as well as progress on current and future rail projects, among other achievements. "We settled decades of debate by acting decisively to change law enforcement on the Metro system by moving forward with creating a new transit safety department to keep everyone safe," Bass said. "If you are on transit ... we want everyone to be safe."

Westside Current

Manhunt Underway After Texas Deputy Killed In Ambush Shooting

A manhunt is underway after a Harris County deputy was killed in an ambush, KHOU reported. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez identified the deputy as Deputy Fernando Esqueda. He was 28 years old and a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. He was also a member of HCSO’s Violent Person Task Force. “He was dedicated to protecting and serving the residents of Harris County,” Gonzalez said. “We pray with Deputy Esqueda’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Deputy Esqueda’s commitment to duty and his sacrifice will always be remembered.” The July 10 incident unfolded when deputies received a call about an aggravated assault at a restaurant, according to the report. A customer, who was upset over an incorrect order, had attacked and pistol-whipped an employee before fleeing. Deputies issued a call to locate the suspect vehicle. A detective used the Flock camera system, which showed a history of hits for the vehicle in a specific location, according to the report. Deputies went to that location but did not initially find the car. Esqueda later returned to the location. He reported finding the suspect’s vehicle but not the attacker, according to the report. It was at this point that Esqueda was ambushed. Other detectives arrived and found that Esqueda had been shot multiple times, according to the report. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

PoliceOne

Firefighters Rescue Dog From House Fire In Los Angeles

Firefighters with the Los Angeles Fire Department rescued a dog from a burning house early Thursday morning. According to stringer service Key News, the fire was reported around 1:42 a.m. at 11170 N. Plainview Ave. in the Tujunga neighborhood of L.A. Firefighters saw smoke emerging from the home upon arrival. Video from the scene showed a firefighter carrying a dog to a fire engine after rescuing him from the burning home. One man was treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported. Key News reports that the source of the fire was located in the home’s garage. There’s no word on whether the home burned down completely.

KTLA 5

LA County Heat Wave Peaks Weds, Thurs

The record-breaking heat wave that’s been baking the Antelope Valley and other parts of Los Angeles County for days is expected to peak Wednesday, with temperatures soaring over 110 degrees once again. Lancaster and Palmdale extended their records for the most consecutive days over 110 degrees on Tuesday with six, and are expected to extend that record to a seventh day on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Lancaster is expected to reach 112 degrees and Palmdale 110, the NWS said. An excessive heat warning is in place until at least 9 p.m. Saturday in the Antelope Valley, the Interstate 5 corridor, western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 corridor. A similar warning is in place until 9 p.m. Thursday for the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Calabasas and Agoura Hills, Valencia, East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley and several areas of the San Fernando Valley including Burbank and Topanga.

MyNewsLA

LA County Looks To Expand Programs At Juvey Halls, Camps

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized the Department of Youth Development to use $2 million in grants to expand programs for youth in its juvenile halls and camps, which have faced criticism for a shortage of activities for detainees. The agency was directed to use the state funds to partner with organizations that have experience working in juvenile halls and camps and creating programs for youth to help them learn professional and inter-personal skills. "Our office has received hundreds of comments from youth, parents, advocated and other constituents pertaining the lack of consistency of programming at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall," Supervisor Holly Mitchell said. She noted in her motion that efforts have been made to provide programs, such as a Drum Corps program at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall that teaches youth how to play instruments, read music and connect with musical programming. A Swan Within ballet program, meanwhile, engages youth in weight training, outdoor strength conditioning exercises, ballet exercise and holistic wellness practices, according to the motion.

Westside Current

COVID Hospital Visits Are Jumping In California. But Are Symptoms Changing?

California’s COVID-19 emergency room visits and test positivity rate are rising sharply as the summer coronavirus wave gains momentum with some people reporting more severe symptoms than in previous encounters with the illness. However, there are signs of hope. Current figures remain far lower than in previous years, and health officials have now recommended an updated fall vaccine to protect against the latest coronavirus variants during the anticipated winter surge. Emergency room visits in California rose by nearly 20% last week compared with the previous week, and the test positivity rate climbed to 10.6% — the highest since January’s winter surge and more than double the 4.1% rate recorded a month earlier. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California is among 39 states where infections are rising, with no states or territories reporting a decline. “There’s a lot of COVID circulating right now,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF. “I don’t think it’s going to taper off anytime soon. I’m expecting those numbers to continue to be high for a few more weeks.”

San Francisco Chronicle

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.