1 Dead, 1 Injured In Shooting In Glassell Park

One person has died and another was injured during a shooting in Glassell Park on Tuesday. Officers responded to the 2200 block of North San Fernando Road, near Sotomayor Arts and Sciences Magnet, around 5:55 p.m. to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon suspect and shots being fired, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect was last seen traveling southbound on San Fernando Road from Eagle Rock Boulevard in a white Dodge Durango. It was unclear what motivated the shooting, and detectives were conducting an investigation Tuesday evening.

NBC 4

Motorcyclist Arrested After Fatally Striking Pedestrian In South LA In 2023

Police have arrested a hit-and-run motorcyclist who fatally struck a pedestrian in South Los Angeles back in May of 2023. Los Angeles Police Department investigators say that the crash happened at 11:45 p.m. on May 4 near Western Avenue at 79th Street. The crash sent 72-year-old Raymond Peters to the hospital, where he later died. "The suspect was driving a newer model Honda Goldwing motorcycle southbound Western Avenue at 79th Street, when struck a pedestrian," said a statement from LAPD. "The victim ... had just parked his vehicle and was crossing Western Avenue when he was struck by the suspect's motorcycle." Investigators released new footage of the suspect on Tuesday, showing him stopping at a nearby gas station where he removed parts of the motorcycle that were damaged in the crash. At a news conference on Tuesday, LAPD South Traffic Division investigators said that they believe the suspect is a member of a bike club, due to the "Chosen Few" jacket he was wearing. 

CBS 2

Just Do What? Man Arrested After $5 Million Worth Of Nike Gear Found In Warehouse

In most cases, Nike tells customers to “just do it.” However, when it comes to stealing the brand’s merchandise, the company might advise otherwise. On Saturday, Los Angeles Police Department detectives, Nike officials and other investigators found “thousands of pairs of stolen Nike shoes, clothing, accessories, and unique prototypes” at a Hawthorne warehouse, according to an LAPD statement. In total, the value of the merchandise was $5 million. The discovery came after police executed search warrants in Hollywood and Hawthorne in connection with suspected retail crimes, the LAPD said. The warehouse was targeted, police say, after a suspect in the case was allegedly seen delivering stolen Nike products there. Police named Roy Lee Harvey Jr., 37, as the suspect, accusing him of “receiving, redistributing, and reselling a high dollar amount of stolen property.” Harvey, of Memphis, Tenn., was booked shortly after midnight Sunday, and his bail was set at $0, according to police logs. The Los Angeles Superior Court has adopted a policy eliminating money bail for those accused of nonviolent crimes.

Los Angeles Times

Suspect In Santa Monica Homicide Of Venice Music Producer Linked To Additional LA Crimes

A suspect allegedly involved in the Santa Monica homicide of Venice resident William James Edwards III, a respected music producer, was found to be wanted on additional charges, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has revealed. The tragic shooting, which occurred on January 25th, has garnered significant community reaction. At approximately 10:25 AM, SMPD officers responded to a shots-fired call in the 2600 block of 29th Street. They discovered 46-year-old Edwards in his vehicle, gravely injured. Despite immediate medical attention, Edwards later died in the hospital. Kayla Delise Mackie, the suspect in this homicide, was apprehended in West Los Angeles the morning after the shooting. On Tuesday, January 30, SMPD released information that Mackie was linked to additional crimes in Los Angeles, including armed robbery and attempted homicide. The District Attorney filed a murder charge against Mackie for Edwards' death, along with other charges pertaining to the Los Angeles incidents. Chief Ramon Batista of SMPD praised his officers' dedication and professionalism in handling the investigation. He stated, "Our team's tireless effort and thorough approach in this investigation underscore our commitment to justice and maintaining law and order in our community."

Westside Current

Mom Charged With Murdering 4-Year-Old Daughter In East LA

A woman was charged Tuesday with murder and assault in connection with the death of her 4-year-old daughter, who was found unresponsive last week in a vehicle in East Los Angeles. Maria Del Refugio Avalos, 38, was set to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on one count each of murder and assault on a child causing death. The criminal complaint lists the victim's name as "Mia G." Her family identified her as Mia Gonzalez. According to the county Medical Examiner, the girl died from the combined effects of strangulation and sharp force injury of the wrist. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies were summoned at 11:09 p.m. last Thursday to investigate a report of a child assaulted in the 4800 block of Civic Center Way, a couple of blocks south of the Pomona (60) Freeway, and found the girl unresponsive, according to the Sheriff's Information Bureau. Paramedics took her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. A woman later determined to be the girl's mother was detained at the scene and subsequently arrested for suspicion of murder, sheriff's officials said.

FOX 11

More Than 500 People Arrested In Statewide Operation Against Human Trafficking

More than 500 people were arrested in a statewide operation in California to rescue victims from the clutches of prostitution and human trafficking. Several people were assisted in this operation among dozens of law enforcement agencies to mark the closing of January, a time when human trafficking awareness month is commemorated. Ninety-five law enforcement agencies were part of the operation with undercover agents called “reclaim and rebuild.” “We arrested more than 500 people and suspects who were the criminals,” said Miguel Meza, spokesman for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Including 40 alleged "sex traffickers or exploiters" and 271 suspected of attempting to pay for sex. Additionally, 54 adults and 11 youths were rescued, including a 14-year-old girl. “These victims are treated so badly, they abuse them not only sexually but beating them, they do horrible things,” said Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna. One of the areas in LA County where undercover operations were carried out was on Holt Avenue in Pomona. There, 12 men were arrested, two of whom are registered sex offenders. “Those involved in human trafficking we are going to aggressively pursue,” said George Gascon, Los Angeles County District Attorney.

NBC 4

FBI 'Operation Dead Hand' Disrupts Drug Ring Operating From SoCal To Canada

Federal authorities in Los Angeles on Tuesday announced a major blow against an international drug organization allegedly responsible for trafficking large quantities of narcotics through the United States and Canada. Officials said two indictments unsealed in Los Angeles on Tuesday name 19 people now facing charges in connection with "Operation Dead Hand" - including nine Southern California residents. Ten of those 19 have been arrested in recent days in cities that include Los Angeles, Sacramento, Miami, Odessa (Texas), Montreal, Toronto and Calgary. The indictments say investigators seized drugs worth $16-28 million, including 845 kilograms of methamphetamine, 951 kilograms of cocaine, 20 kilograms of fentanyl and 4 kilograms of heroin. They also seized $900,000 in cash. They noted that the quantities of those seizures only reflected operations during the few months of the investigation, indicating how active and large the network has been throughout its existence. The sophisticated operation involved Mexican cartels, an Italian mafia figure based in Montreal and a network of drivers employed by dozens of trucking companies, authorities say.

ABC 7

Man Who Intentionally Hit Texas Officer Deploying Spike Strips Sentenced To Life In Prison

A man who intentionally rammed into a police officer during a pursuit has been sentenced to life in prison, NBC DFW reported. Fort Worth Police Officer Matthew Brazeal was severely injured when Ronnie Jackson swerved and hit him in June 2020, according to the report. The collision dragged Brazeal more than 100 feet. The incident occurred when officers initiated a traffic stop, according to an earlier report from NBC DFW. Jackson fled the stop and hit Brazeal while he was trying to deploy spike strips. Brazeal is still recovering from the incident and recently returned to light duty police work nearly four years later, according to the report. According to a FOX 4 report, Brazeal underwent 60 surgeries and extensive rehab following the incident. His injuries included a broken pelvis and ribs, a collapsed lung and a brain injury. Jackson was found guilty of aggravated assault of a peace officer with a deadly weapon, according to the report. He was sentenced to life in prison on Jan. 29.

PoliceOne

Video: Florida Sheriff’s Office K-9 Finds Missing Child

When a child goes missing, time is of the essence to find them. That’s why when an 11-year-old girl disappeared from her Florida home on Jan. 26, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office called in a born searcher — K-9 Mary Lu. Mary Lu, along with her deputy handler Sarah Ernstes, arrived at the Wimauma home just before 8 p.m. and quickly found the missing child’s scent, the sheriff’s office said in a Jan. 28 Facebook post. “They quickly jumped into action, tracking the child to a neighbor’s house, where they learned the residents had given her a ride to a nearby apartment complex,” the sheriff’s office said. Mary Lu and Ernstes drove to the complex, then started searching the surrounding area, deputies said. In a video shared by the sheriff’s office, Ernstes and Mary Lu reach a nearby park, and Mary Lu is let loose as Ernstes tells her to “get to work.” Mary Lu searches the property before walking up to the park’s public bathrooms, the video shows. 

Charlotte Observer

Man, Family Dog Found Dead After House Fire Erupts In La Cañada Flintridge, Authorities Say

A man and a family dog were found dead after a fire erupted Tuesday morning at a home in La Cañada Flintridge, authorities said. The blaze was reported shortly before 4 a.m. at a single-story house in the 2000 block of Rancho Canada Road, between Foothill Boulevard and the 210 Freeway. Los Angeles County firefighters responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze within about 20 minutes. Authorities said before fire crews arrived, deputies had already rescued a woman by pulling her through a window and another man was able to get out of the burning on his own. The two were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, though their conditions remain unknown. The third person, identified only as a man, was pronounced dead at the scene along with the dog. Video from AIR7 HD showed an apparent body, covered by a sheet, on the ground in front of the home. Marissa Solis, a neighbor who's known the victim for years, was shocked the hear the news of his death.

ABC 7

Investigation Uncovers High Measles Risk At 350 Southern California Schools With Low Vaccination Rates

Concerns are heightened across the United States as the East Coast experiences an unexpected outbreak of measles. A CBS News investigation revealed that at least 8,500 American schools are at risk of similar outbreaks as vaccination rates drop below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended 95% for student bodies, hundreds of which are located in California. While it's up to the parents to immunize their child based on medical recommendations, schools across the country are required to keep track of student's immunization records, including the Golden State. As many as 350 Southern California schools that do not meet the recommended threshold to prevent the unwanted return of measles based on the investigation, troubling numbers that are at the top of mind of many local medical professionals. Dr. Steven Nishibayashi, a former pediatrician, recalls his own battle with the illness when he was just five years old. "It's one of my earliest memories," he said. "The fever and the cough and the itchy rash. ... I vividly recall the night that my fever was high, the spiders were attacking me, and it was as real as I remember it to be."

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.