San Franciscans Question George Gascón’s Legacy As ‘Godfather Of Progressive Prosecutors’

Randy Shaw, head of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic in San Francisco, said he supported Proposition 47 but believes Gascón’s policies were disastrous for the low-income neighborhood where he has tried to give aid to the homeless for decades. “He made no effort to deal with the drug and crime problems in the Tenderloin — none, zero. That might be generous. He might have been worse than zero,” Shaw said. “He discouraged the police, because at some point they decided, what’s the point in making these arrests, because he isn’t going to prosecute them.”

Man Pleads Not Guilty To Trying To Kill Two Officers At LAPD's Harbor Station

A Los Angeles man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he tried to kill two officers at the LAPD's Harbor Station in San Pedro, including one who was pistol-whipped and another with whom he allegedly exchanged gunfire. Jose Cerpa Guzman, 29, is charged with two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, along with one count each of second-degree robbery, evading and resisting an officer. He could face a potential life prison sentence if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission last month that assaults against police officers have risen 156% compared to this time last year. The chief said then that 282 felony assaults have taken place against LAPD officers, compared to 110 this time last year. He also said most of the incidents took place during ongoing protests against police brutality that began in late May.

LAPD Officers Injured In Shooting Near USC

At least one LAPD officer fired at shooting suspects in Exposition Park, where an investigation continued Sunday. With many details still unknown, some officers were injured in the incident, the LAPD reported. Officers were on patrol near Jefferson Boulevard and Budlong Avenue at 11:30 p.m. Saturday when someone in a gray sedan with multiple people inside fired shots toward at least two pedestrians in the street, according to Officer D. Ortiz of the LAPD Operations Center. That’s when the officer-involved-shooting occurred, Ortiz said. At least one suspect ran northbound on Budlong Avenue and the gray sedan continued southbound on Budlong, where it eventually struck a telephone pole at 35th Street and Budlong Avenue, according to Officer Mike Lopez of the LAPD’s Media Relations Section. “At least one individual ran from the car,” said Lopez, adding that two handguns were recovered — one in the gray sedan and one in the area of the gunfire exchange.

Police Looking For ‘Armed And Dangerous’ Suspect Who Stabbed LA Metro Employee To Death

Authorities on Sunday were still searching for a suspect accused of fatally stabbing an L.A. Metro employee Friday in downtown Los Angeles. The unnamed suspect, described as a possibly white or Hispanic female between the ages of 25-30, became involved in a verbal dispute on the MTA Red Line train which escalated on Friday. According to police, the woman at some point allegedly armed herself and stabbed the victim to death at the downtown rail station. The woman was last seen leaving the Red Line train at 7th and Metro, and was pushing a distinctive green bicycle. The victim reportedly signaled for help and was checked out by paramedics at the scene before being taken to a hospital where he died. Anyone who spots the suspect is urged to call LAPD Detective Lenchuk or Detective at 213-486-8700, and to not approach the suspect. Police said she is to be considered armed and dangerous.

Man Charged With Attempted Murder, Hate Crime After Allegedly Attacking 2 Transgender Women In MacArthur Park

A man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing two transgender women in separate attacks at a Westlake neighborhood park, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office said Friday. Donoban Fonseca, 24, was charged with three counts each of attempted murder, conspiracy to dissuade a witness and attempting to dissuade a witness, plus two counts of extortion, the DA’s office said in a news release. He is also accused of committing a hate crime — targeting people he perceived to be gay or members of the LGBTQ community — to benefit a criminal gang during the alleged attacks that occurred over the past three months, according to the news release. The first incident was reported on Aug. 21, when Fonseca allegedly participated in the stabbing of a transgender woman in MacArthur Park. The victim was again allegedly stabbed in the park on Sept. 1, officials said. It’s unclear whether Fonseca was involved in that victim’s second attack.

Police Rescue Grandmother, Infant From Carjacked Vehicle; Suspect Arrested

A man allegedly carjacked a running vehicle with an 8-month-old child and the baby's grandmother inside on Saturday, leading to a slow-speed police pursuit through downtown Los Angeles and his eventual arrest. The grandmother and infant were left inside a running car about 2:45 p.m. at Ninth Street and Maple Avenue when the suspect jumped in and drove off with them, according to Officer Tony Im of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section. "The Department mobilized extensive resources, including a team of detectives and an airship, in an effort to locate the vehicle," Im said. The car was located downtown just after 4 p.m. and the suspect led officers on a 10-minute slow-speed pursuit, he said. "A spike strip was deployed, and the vehicle came to a stop." The suspect was arrested without further incident, he said.

Sex-Assault Suspect Who Barricaded Himself Inside Paramount Pictures Lot Is Arrested

A man who was being pursued in connection with a sexual assault case became “uncooperative” and barricaded himself inside a building on the Paramount Pictures lot Sunday night, police officials said. The man was under surveillance by Fullerton police investigators, who tried to arrest him in Los Angeles, said Fullerton Police Cpl. Billy Phu. At some point during the interaction, which started around 10 p.m., the man entered a building inside Paramount Pictures. Fullerton police called on the Los Angeles Police Department for assistance. Officer C. Nguyen of the LAPD Hollywood Division said the man was reportedly carrying a knife. The LAPD said early Monday that one of its officers was involved in a shooting during the operation outside the studio’s Melrose Avenue gate. The department said officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect to surrender. Officers entered the building about 12:15 a.m. and arrested the man, who “was bleeding from wounds he sustained during the incident,” the LAPD said.

Woman Suspected Of Driving Towards Officer Is Arrested Near Beverly Hills Protest

A woman was arrested Saturday night when she allegedly drove her vehicle toward a Beverly Hills police officer who was blocking a street for the weekly pro-Trump Freedom Rally. The rally began about 3 p.m. at the Beverly Hills sign in Beverly Gardens Park, at 9439 Santa Monica Blvd., according to Beverly Hills police Sgt. David Leber. The police officer got out of the way and was not injured, Leber said. The woman was arrested for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, he said.

Woman Arrested In Hit-and-Run As 15-Year-Old Remains Hospitalized

A woman was arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that left a South Bay teenager hospitalized with serious injuries after the driver hit him on his bike as his mother watched it happen feet away from her. Darlene Delgadillo, 28, was arrested Oct. 14 on suspicion of felony hit-and-run, and Hawthorne police said it appeared she or someone had attempted to fix the part of the car involved in the collision. Hawthorne police said after identifying a license plate, they traced the Toyota sedan back to a Riverside address as well as a Gardena address. After obtaining a warrant and going to Delgadillo's residence in the South Bay, they found the Toyota covered up. Police said Delgadillo admitted to being behind the wheel during the hit-and-run, and she was taken into custody.

LA Rapper Nuke Bizzle, Who Boasted On YouTube Of Unemployment Fraud, Now Faces Federal Charges

A rapper who boasted in a YouTube music video about getting rich from committing unemployment benefits fraud was arrested Friday in Los Angeles on federal charges of carrying out that very scheme by fraudulently applying for more than $1.2 million in jobless benefits, including by using stolen identities, federal prosecutors announced. Fontrell Antonio Baines, 31, who uses the stage name Nuke Bizzle, was arrested on federal charges alleging he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Baines who’s from of Memphis, Tennessee, and currently resides in the Hollywood Hills, is expected to make his initial appearance Friday afternoon in Los Angeles federal court. The criminal complaint alleges three felony offenses — access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and interstate transportation of stolen property.

Public Safety News

LAFD Contains Brush Fire On Both Sides Of Burbank Boulevard In Sepulveda Basin

A brush fire in the Sepulveda Basin blackened about seven acres Friday and threw up a lot of smoke in the San Fernando Valley, but no structures were damaged. More than 100 firefighters were sent to the 15700 block of Burbank Boulevard after the blaze broke out about 1:15 p.m. amid 100-degree heat. Aircraft also were deployed, according to the LAFD. Within about an hour, fire crews fully contained the blaze to seven acres of vegetation north and south of Burbank Boulevard near Woodley Avenue, the fire department reported.

L.A. County Fire Department Adds Strike Teams Amid Extreme Heat, Fire Dangers

As a fall heat wave continues to bake Southern California and a red flag warning in effect in Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains, the L.A. County Fire Department added two strike teams to fire-prone areas.

LA County Urges Flu Shots To Reduce Hospital Demand During COVID-19 Pandemic

Los Angeles County health officials again recommended flu shots for all in hopes of avoiding a surge of hospital demand due to influenza and COVID-19. And with another weekend starting, they urged residents not to misuse new health guidelines allowing small gatherings. The county Department of Public Health amended its coronavirus health order this week, bringing it in line with state guidance and allowing gatherings of up to three households for private get-togethers. The change was a major departure from earlier guidance calling on residents to avoid associating with anyone outside their own household. "As we enter the weekend, we remind residents that, if they are planning a private gathering, limit it to just your household and two others, and, in the foreseeable future, create a stable group with these households,'' public health director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement.

LA County Still Testing Too High To Move Into Less Restrictive Coronavirus Tier

Los Angeles County reported 358 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 additional deaths Sunday, bringing the county's totals to 288,451 cases with 6,876 fatalities. Officials said the lower number of cases and deaths reflects reporting delays over the weekend and problems with the state's data feed. Hospitalizations rose slightly for the second straight day after dropping for four consecutive days. A total of 752 people were hospitalized due to the virus as of Sunday, up from 746 on Saturday, 735 on Friday, 723 on Thursday, 720 on Wednesday and 692 on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Although coronavirus hospitalizations have been generally trending downward since July, health officials still fear a potential spike in hospital demand if the region experiences a severe flu season while the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, and are recommending flu shots for all in hopes of avoiding a surge of hospital demand due to influenza and COVID-19.

U.S. Surpasses 8 Million Coronavirus Cases

The United States has now seen more than 8 million coronavirus cases, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. Over 218,000 people nationwide have died due to the virus. The country is now battling a fall surge, with 17 states seeing surges unlike anything they've experienced before in this pandemic. More than 63,000 cases were reported alone on Thursday, rising closer to daily case numbers not seen since the summer. Hotspots are flaring across the Midwest, with smaller, rural hospitals fighting to hold on. "It's not a joke when we say we swim in COVID," said Dr. Scott Samlan, an emergency room doctor in Hammond, Indiana, a state that hit a record number of cases on Thursday. "I think the scary part for a lot of us is that we don't know how any individual is going to handle COVID," he said.