Innocent LA Father Killed After DA Gascón Gives Violent Career Criminal Multiple Diversions

A violent career criminal who was on the streets and not in jail because she was assigned mental health treatment instead of prison time is accused of killing an innocent Los Angeles father. Jade Simone Brookfield, 23, was arrested in April and charged with murder after she allegedly fatally stabbed 40-year-old Dennis Banner during an argument in a street. Law enforcement sources tell Fox News that Brookfield had a lengthy criminal history for alleged assault, assault with a deadly weapon and multiple violent felonies with knives, but she had inexplicably avoided incarceration and was repeatedly given mental health diversions. It took a family losing their father for Brookfield's diversion to be terminated, and only now is the suspect finally being held in custody. This heartbreaking case is a prime example of the disaster that can happen when California's loose mental health diversion laws combine with progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón's soft-on-crime approach to seek diversion whenever possible.

FOX 11

Police Looking To Identify Driver In Fatal Hit-and-Run In Koreatown 

LAPD detectives are seeking the public’s help in finding the driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Koreatown early Tuesday morning. A 2005 silver Nissan Altima was travelling eastbound on 1st Street near Westmoreland Avenue around 5:15 a.m. when it collided with a female pedestrian in the roadway, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department. The driver of the Nissan failed to remain at the scene, identify themselves or render aid to the pedestrian, LAPD said. LAFD personnel responded to the scene and transported the pedestrian to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The female pedestrian has not been identified, but her next of kin has been notified. Anyone with information about this fatal hit-and-run is asked to contact detectives with the LAPD’s West Traffic Division at 213-473-0234. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-527-3247. 

KTLA 5

Man Shot In Hollywood; Investigation Underway

A man was shot in Hollywood Wednesday, and an investigation was underway. Paramedics sent to the 1100 block of North Mariposa Avenue at 10:43 a.m. Wednesday took the man to a hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department, which did not provide his condition. No suspect information was immediately available. The shooting occurred in a neighborhood near Ramona Elementary School, but there was no apparent connection with the school, authorities said.

MyNewsLA

Police Shoot Stabbing Suspect Near Vermont/Beverly Metro Station In East Hollywood

Los Angeles police shot and wounded a man suspected of stabbing another man near a Metro station Tuesday in East Hollywood, officials said. Around 10:20 a.m., the suspect was involved in an altercation with a woman on the Red Line train platform at the Vermont/Beverly station when another man intervened, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. The suspect allegedly brandished a knife before running off and stabbing a man at street level. LAPD transit officers responded to the scene and found the suspect in the 300 block of North Vermont Avenue. According to police, officers fired at him after he brandished the knife. Footage taken by a resident of the area and obtained by KTLA-TV Channel 5 showed the man appearing to run from police and hiding behind a car. At one point, the man drops an object but picks it up. The suspect was taken to a hospital in stable condition. A knife was found at the scene and will be booked as evidence, police said. 

Los Angeles Times

Pair Of USC Students Charged With Stealing Jerseys From 2023 NFL Draft

A pair of USC students have been arrested and charged with allegedly stealing jerseys from the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Missouri over the weekend. The duo of suspects, since identified as 19-year-old Jude Ocanas and 41-year-old Eric Lambkins, are reportedly journalism majors at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. They were caught on camera leaving their hotel at around 1 a.m. via emergency exit on Friday, where they proceeded to enter the backstage area of the NFL Draft stage — where they were not credentialed, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. Kansas City police say that the two stole three jerseys — a blue Dallas Cowboys jersey, a red San Francisco 49ers jersey and a Minnesota Vikings jersey — all etched with the the number one to signify a college player getting drafted by a team. Detectives say that each jersey is valued at around $350. 

CBS 2

89-Year-Old Man Diagnosed With Dementia Goes Missing In Compton

Authorities sought public help Wednesday to find an 89-year-old man diagnosed with dementia and requiring medical assistance who disappeared in Compton. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, DC Robinson was last seen Monday in the 1000 block of West Cressy Street. He has been diagnosed with dementia, high blood pressure, and diabetes, sheriff’s officials said. Robinson is 5 feet 5 inches tall, 130 pounds, bald, and has brown eyes. It was unknown what type of clothing he was wearing. He is presumed to be driving a metallic tan 1999 Buick Century with California license plate number 4EEX429, according to the sheriff’s department. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Robinson was encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Missing Person Detail unit at 323-890-5500. Callers who choose to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

MyNewsLA

LA County Increases Reward Offer To $75,000 In Fatal Unsolved Shooting Of 4-Year-Old Boy In Altadena

The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a $75,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who fatally shot a 4-year-old boy in Altadena nearly seven years ago. Salvador "Chavita" Esparza III of Monrovia was shot about 10:40 p.m. July 5, 2016, at 384 W. Figueroa Drive. The kindergarten-bound boy had been visiting family friends when he was shot, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He died at a hospital. A 27-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting, officials said. The county had originally offered a $20,000 reward in the case, but the shooting remains unsolved. "Six years ago, little Salvador's life was violently and tragically ended," Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who introduced the reward motion, said in a statement. "I am extending and increasing the reward amount because I have faith that there's someone out there who can help bring justice for the Esparza family. Every bit of information helps, so don't hesitate to reach out. Help us identify the perpetrator who robbed Salvador of his future and left an unfillable void in his family's heart."

ABC 7

Three Brutal Stabbings Spark Fears Of Serial Killer In Davis

A third stabbing in less than a week prompted an hours-long shelter-in-place order for the sprawling UC Davis campus and large swaths of downtown Davis early Tuesday as authorities conducted a yard-to-yard search for the assailant. They came up empty, and by late morning, as FBI agents arrived to assist with the investigation, Davis Police Chief Darren Pytel was warning residents of this bike-loving city of 68,000 to avoid going out at night or walking or biking alone until the perpetrator is caught. The spate of seemingly random and brutal attacks has left two men dead and one woman in critical condition, sending a chill through this normally low-key college town just west of Sacramento. Until last week, Davis had not had a reported homicide since 2019, according to local officials. The suspect, based on witness descriptions and the nature of the attacks, was behaving in a manner that was “particularly brazen,” the chief noted, “and that obviously causes us significant concern.”

Los Angeles Times

St. Louis Officer Shot, 2 More Injured During Mental Health Welfare Check

A St. Louis police officer was shot and wounded Friday afternoon during a welfare check for a man whose relatives were concerned about his mental health, law enforcement officials said. The 44-year-old officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulders but was conscious and alert, St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said at a news conference Friday evening outside the hospital where the 15-year veteran was being treated. “These injuries could have been worse," Tracy said. “And thank God they weren’t.” The shooting unfolded around 4:30 p.m. at an apartment complex west of downtown. Officers were called there to check on a 71-year-old man who, according to relatives, wasn't taking his medications and was experiencing delusions, the police chief said. At some point during the welfare check the man pulled out a handgun hidden inside his clothing and opened fire, striking one of the officers, Tracy said. Other officers struggled with the man as they detained him, and at least one of them suffered a cut on the hand during the scuffle, he said.

Associated Press

Report: LEOs Shot In Ambush-Style Attacks Increases 10% Over Last Year

The National Fraternal Order of Police (NFOP) has released its latest monthly report on the number of law enforcement officers who have been shot in the line of duty as of April 30, including 15 killed in 2023. The number of officers shot in separate ambush-style attacks has risen 10% compared to the same period in 2022. A total-to-date of 43 officers have been shot and six killed in 30 attacks. The number of attacks has also increased by five. The NFOP defines an ambush-style attack as when an officer is hit by gunfire without any warning or opportunity to defend themselves. A total of 135 officers have been shot in the line of duty in this period, an increase of 10% compared to April 2022 and an increase over the same period in the last three years (+48% in 2021 YTD, +54% in 2020 YTD). Fifteen of those 135 were killed by gunfire. The number of officers killed by gunfire is down 21% when compared to April 2022. In a state-by-state breakdown of officers shot in the line of duty, California and Pennsylvania lead the nation with 11 each. Missouri follows with nine and Florida with eight. 

PoliceOne

At the LAFD, pay for sex on duty, batter a cop, lie on medical records — and keep your job

One firefighter made off with a Los Angeles Fire Department cellphone last year and used it to solicit a prostitute while on duty. He then abandoned his dispatch post at the department’s downtown communications center, which handles 911 calls, drove to a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport and had sex with her before returning to work. The LAFD almost never terminates firefighters, even those who have committed crimes or other types of egregious wrongdoing, a Times investigation has found. Their misconduct is detailed in the department’s own disciplinary files as well as court records and other public documents.

Los Angeles Times

LA City Council Confirms Three New Harbor Commissioners

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday confirmed three new members to the city’s Board of Harbor Commission, a five-member oversight group for the Port of Los Angeles. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass nominated former U.S. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Michael Munoz and Lee Williams. The new commissioners will participate in their first meeting on May 11, replacing outgoing commission President Jaime Lee and Commissioners Lucia Moreno-Linares and Anthony Pirozzi Jr. “I am excited to welcome these incredibly talented professionals to the Los Angeles Harbor Commission,” Bass said in a statement. “Their deep expertise and longstanding commitment to the city of Los Angeles will be a great asset in helping manage and overseeing the nation’s busiest port.” Councilman Tim McOsker, whose council district includes the port complex, expressed his excitement to work alongside the three new commissioners.

MyNewsLA

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 9,200 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.