Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed, 2 Other Officers Shot In Ambush

A Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputy was killed and two other law enforcement officers were wounded when they were shot Saturday while making an arrest, authorities said. Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller was shot and killed in Ben Lomond, an unincorporated area near Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said. A second deputy was injured, and a third officer, from the California Highway Patrol, was shot in his hand, Hart said. Gutzwiller “was a beloved figure here at the sheriff’s office,” Hart said. The suspect was shot during the arrest and is still being treated at the hospital, Hart said. He has not been booked yet. The Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are investigating.

The Los Angeles Police Department Command Officers Association Response To City Council Motion

The Los Angeles Police Department Command Officers Association emphatically condemns actions taken by members of the Minneapolis Police Department that tragically took the life of George Floyd. We stand with the thousands of police officers across this great country who have voiced their disgust with the conduct of those individuals. Days after that horrific incident, Los Angeles City Council members Martinez, Wesson, Krekorian, Rodriguez and Price, with the support of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, introduced a motion to drastically reduce funding for the Los Angeles Police Department; indirectly accusing the police department of systemic racism.

Los Angeles police union leader on proposed budget cuts

Los Angeles looks to cut up to $150 million from the LAPD budget to reinvest into communities of color; Los Angeles Police Protective League director Rob Harris weighs in on ‘America’s Newsroom.’

LAPD Union Decries Garcetti’s ‘Killers’ Comment. He Says He Wasn’t Talking About Police

Officials with the Los Angeles police union assailed Mayor Eric Garcetti on Friday for comments he made about cutting the LAPD budget, saying police officers have lost confidence in the mayor’s ability to lead the city after days of demonstrations. Speaking at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Los Angeles on Thursday, Garcetti said that his proposal to reduce LAPD spending and shift the savings to minority communities was getting attention from mayors across the country. “That’s exactly the point,” he said. “It starts someplace, and we say we are going to be who we want to be, or we’re going to continue being the killers that we are.” A Garcetti aide later told The Times that the “killers” remark referred to police agencies across the country. The following morning, an official with the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, accused the mayor of “political pandering” and called him “unstable.” “He smeared every single police officer in Los Angeles and across the nation by calling us killers,” said Jamie McBride, a board member with the union.

Man Accused of Firing at LAPD Officers During Unrest

Detectives have made an arrest in a shooting near Santa Monica in which an officer was grazed with a bullet, a day after another officer was smashed in the head in the Fairfax District. A man who police said opened fire on a group of LAPD officers Sunday near the Santa Monica and Venice border, wounding one of them, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Gabriel Estrada, 28, from Palmdale, was taken into custody by LAPD Robbery Homicide Division detectives late Wednesday and was being held in lieu of $4 million bail, booking records and multiple law enforcement sources told NBC News. A handgun was found during the investigation, the sources said. The shooting happened late Sunday near the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Rose Avenue.

FBI Looks For Link Between 2 Ambush Killings Of Officers In Santa Cruz, Oakland

The FBI and local investigators are trying to determine a possible link between the ambush-style killing of a Northern California sheriff’s deputy Saturday night and that of a federal officer who was fatally shot outside the U.S. courthouse in Oakland more than a week ago. The FBI office in San Francisco confirmed Sunday its investigators were working with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department to determine a possible motive and links to other crimes committed in the San Francisco Bay Area, including the attack that killed a Federal Protective Service officer and critically wounded another officer on May 29. Both involved shooters in a van. An active-duty U.S. Air Force sergeant has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, 38, and wounding two other officers Saturday.

Man Wounds LAPD Officer With Crossbow In North Hollywood

A man who had holed up inside a North Hollywood arts district apartment fired a crossbow at police officers, causing a minor injury to one, authorities said Monday. The initial call of assault with a deadly weapon and shots fired was reported about 9:35 p.m. Sunday. At about 10:30 p.m., SWAT officers were evacuating the building on the 5100 block of Bakman Avenue when “the suspect exited and fired a crossbow at officers,” Lt. Chris Ramirez said. Officers fired their weapons at the suspect but did not wound him, Ramirez said. Officers took him into custody. The officer was treated at a hospital for his wound and released, the lieutenant said.

Man Shot To Death At Exposition Park Area House Party

Two men got into a fight at a house party early Sunday in the Exposition Park area of Los Angeles, and one pulled out a gun and shot the other to death. The shooting happened about 1:10 a.m. in the 3800 block of Woodlawn Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The gunman, believed to be in his 30s, fled the scene after the shooting. The victim, also believed to be in his 30s, was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the gunman was asked to call the LAPD’s Newton Division at 323-846-6547. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

Police Asked North Hollywood Art District Residents To Stay Inside As Armed Man Barricaded Himself In Home

Police urged residents of the North Hollywood Art District to stay inside as they tried to arrest an armed man who barricaded himself inside his home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Police were alerted to a man wielding a rifle in a residence on Bakman Avenue near Otsego Street at around 7 p.m., LAPD Officer Mike Lopez said. The man was still barricaded inside his home as of 8:30 p.m. Several helicopters continued to circle above. There will be a heavy police presence in the area until the LAPD “gets the individual into custody without incident,” Lopez said.

LAPD Holds Vigil With Religious Leaders Amid Unrest Over Death Of George Floyd

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore was joined by local religious leaders Friday in a vigil “in support of community solidarity” as protests continue across the country over longstanding issues of police brutality and the in-custody death of George Floyd. The vigil in the courtyard of the LAPD Headquarters at 100 W. First St. saw leaders of different faiths join together in prayer and call for peace and speak out against racism. The chief said the LAPD still has work to do moving forward. “We have had in justices committed by members of our own organization, and that is a hard and hurtful truth,” Moore said. “And that hurts every member who wears this badge… We have core values that when that when we fall short, it hurts us all. But our commitment is to do better.”

Man Arrested After Allegedly Brandishing Semi-Automatic Rifle At Driver In Sherman Oaks

A disturbing scene captured on cellphone video shows a man at the wheel of a pickup truck aiming what appears to be a semi-automatic rifle at another driver in Sherman Oaks. "The moment he pulled the gun, it's just like in reaction, was to get out of line sight of the weapon," said the victim, identified as Justin. Justin is former military and served with the Air Force. What Justin did next during the incident underscores his sense that no one would ever believe him unless he had evidence. At one point in the video, Justin's companion in the vehicle is heard warning him, "He's gonna shoot you bro. You gotta be careful." They race to get the tag numbers on the pickup. They were in such a hurry, that they bumped another car. The other motorist ends up helping and tries to call 911.

Suspect In Custody After Two-Hour High-Speed Pursuit From Seal Beach To Los Angeles And Ended In Banning

The CHP pursued a suspect in a Dodge Durango in a two-hour high-speed chase that started in Seal Beach and continued to Los Angeles on Sunday. The chase started just before 3 p.m. on the 22 Fwy near the Seal Beach area of Orange County. The suspect in a Dodge Durango hit speeds in excess of 100 mph. Then, the vehicle headed northbound on the 5 Freeway, at high speeds back into Los Angeles County. The California Highway Patrol continued to pursue the driver on the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway approaching the Redlands area despite the fact that he apparently ran over a spike strip flattening his two front tires. The suspect was taken into custody on the 10 Fwy (eastbound) in Banning after a two-hour long pursuit.

LAFD Rescues Hiker After Fall In Studio City

A woman in her 50s was rescued by helicopter in Studio City off Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland on Sunday night after a hiking injury, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The 54-year-old appears to have injured her neck and leg after a fall. Her name was not released. She was hoisted into an LAFD helicopter at about 8:20 p.m. to be taken to UCLA Medical Center in the Westwood area. No further details were provided.

LA County Reports Another 25 Deaths, 1,523 Cases Of COVID-19

Los Angeles County health officials reported 1,523 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 25 additional deaths on Sunday, bringing the county's totals to 63,844 cases and 2,645 fatalities. "Our community is feeling the sadness and loss of so many who have passed away from COVID-19. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have passed away. We are so sorry for your loss," Barbara Ferrer, the county's director of public health, said Sunday. "If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, it's important to know that, because of the long incubation period of the virus, getting tested immediately after exposure is likely to yield a negative result and does not mean you are not infected with COVID-19. It is important to please stay away from others for 14 days after possible exposure.

Red Flag Fire Warnings Issued For Part Of L.A. County; Inland And O.C. Areas Also Face High Heat And Winds

Red flag warnings for wildfire danger were issued Sunday for much of Los Angeles County due to expected gusty winds and low humidity overnight. Wind and heat advisories were also in effect for inland areas of Orange County while a wind advisory was in effect for much of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. A heat advisory was in effect for coastal area of Orange and San Diego counties. The Red Flag warnings, issued by the National Weather Service, go into effect at 6 p.m. Sunday in the mountains and the Angeles National Forest, at 10 p.m. in the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, and at midnight in downtown Los Angeles and the coastal areas. They will remain in effect until 7 p.m. Monday.