LAPD Blog

33-Year-Old Man Shot and Killed in Los Angeles

Los Angeles:  Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the killing of 33-year-old Calvin Eugene Gray, a resident of Los Angeles.

On July 29, 2014, at around 8:30 p.m., 77th Street Area officers responded to a radio call of a shooting in the 1000 block of West 76th Street.  When the officers arrived at the location they found the victim in his vehicle suffering from possible gunshot wounds.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced the victim as dead at scene.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to call Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Detectives Marcia and Roberts at (213) 486-6890.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

56-Year-Old Missing Man

Los Angeles:  The family of Alfred Baylor and the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Person’s Unit are asking for the public’s help to find him.

Mr. Baylor was last seen on July 26, 2014, around 11:15 a.m., in the 5100 block of Sunset Boulevard in the City of Los Angeles.  He suffers from a medical condition and is in need of his medication.  Mr. Baylor’s family is extremely concerned for his welfare.

Mr. Baylor is described as a 56-year-old Black male with black / grey hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs about 150 pounds.

Alfred Baylor

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Alfred Baylor, please contact Missing Person’s Unit Detective A. Mercado at (213) 996-1800. During non- business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Weekly Police Commission Meeting Notes for July 29, 2014

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Police Commission President Steve Soboroff opened the meeting by requesting a moment of silence to respect Police Officer Kathleen Talbot, who recently passed away.  For commissioner comments, Commissioner Sandra Figueroa-Villa commended Chief Beck and his staff in reference to recently attending a conference focusing on nonprofit organizations that are doing important work nationwide.  Commissioner Figueroa-Villa stated she was impressed by how well the Department was represented at the conference.  Commissioner Robert Saltzman thanked the Department for a “prompt and effective” response to the recent murder of a USC student.  He referred to the working relationship between LAPD and the USC Department of Public Safety as “extraordinary.”

The meeting continued with the Report of the Chief of Police.  Chief Charlie Beck began his report by thanking Commissioner Saltzman for his comments.  He also thanked Commissioner Soboroff for acknowledging the passing of Officer Talbot and said she would be “sorely” missed.  He mentioned memorial services for Officer Talbot would probably be in October.  Chief Beck closed his report with a rundown of current crime statistics.

The next order of business was a Commission certificate presentation to retiring Detective Tom Butler for 31 years of service.

Consent Agenda Items proceeded with two items pulled for brief discussion before approval. Commissioner Saltzman discussed the first item, during which he thanked the Los Angeles Police Foundation for donating eight college scholarships valued at $10,000 to benefit the LAPD Cadet Program.  The second discussion item, again led by Commissioner Saltzman, also acknowledged the Los Angeles Police Foundation for a donation of $1 million in funding to install digital, in-car video system cameras in patrol vehicles. Following the acknowledgement, Commissioner Soboroff had a few questions for Chief Beck about the cameras, after which all Consent Agenda Items were approved.

Regular Agenda Items then ensued with four items. Item 8A was pulled from the agenda, with Items 8C and 8D being approved as follows:

•  -  8C: The Department’s Report, dated July 21, 2014, relative to the Recommendation for the Medal of Valor, as set forth, was approved.
• -   8D: The Department’s Report, dated July 18, 2014, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for 77^th Area, as set forth, was approved.

The meeting continued with the only remaining Regular Agenda Item (8B), which consisted of a verbal presentation relative to the on-body cameras and Operations South Bureau digital, in-car video system.  This was in response to a previous Commission request for a presentation to display and demonstrate the cameras.  Representing the Department for the presentation was Sergeant Dan Gomez and Police Administrator Maggie Goodrich. There were three video systems presented. Sergeant Gomez was wearing one and had two fellow officers on hand to show how the other two cameras operated and appeared on their uniforms.  Sergeant Gomez also discussed how the captured video images are downloaded and stored, and answered a few questions from the Commissioners, including when the cameras would be fully implemented in the Department.  Ms. Goodrich couldn’t guarantee exactly when this would happen but suggested it might occur in January 2015.  Commissioner Saltzman confirmed with the presenters that there would be future public hearings on the use of the cameras before their proposed January implementation.

74-year-old Man Missing

Los Angeles:  The family of Luren Lightburn and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help to locate Mr. Lightburn.

On Sunday, July 27, 2014, at around 6:00 p.m., Mr. Lightburn left the 900 block of Crenshaw Boulevard in the city of Los Angeles. Mr. Lightburn suffers from Dementia and is in need of daily medication.  

Mr. Lightburn is described as a 74-year-old Black male with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, blue shirt and brown shorts.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Luren Lightburn, please contact Wilshire Watch Commander (213) 473-0476.  During non- business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

 

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Man stabbed to death in the Wilmington Area

Wilmington:  Los Angeles Police Department Harbor Division Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who killed 34-year-old Edgar Nealo Everett in the Wilmington area.

On July 25, 2014, around 5:45 p.m., the victim was in the area of Avalon Boulevard and F Street when he became involved in an argument with five male suspects.  During the altercation one of the suspects produced an unknown sharp object and stabbed the victim multiple times.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead.

The suspects are described as 5 males and there is no further information at this time.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Harbor Division Homicide Detectives Cortez or Carias at (310) 726-7882.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

 

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Graduate Student’s Death Under Investigation By LAPD

UPDATE
July 28, 2014    NR14281SF

On Friday, July 25, 2014, four individuals were arrested for a series of crimes including the murder of Xinran Ji, a 24 year-old University of Southern California graduate student.

Suspect #1:               - Johnathan Del Carmen,
                                    19-years-old
Charges to be filed: - Murder with Special Circumstances
                                 - Booking #4042265

Suspect #2:                - Andrew Garcia, 18-years-old
Charges to be filed:  - Murder with Special Circumstances
                                  - Assault with a Deadly Weapon
                                 - Robbery    
                                - Booking #4042269

Subject #3:               - Male Juvenile
Charges to be filed: - Murder with Special Circumstances
                                 - Assault with a Deadly Weapon
                                 - Robbery

Subject #4:                - Female Juvenile
Charges to be filed:  - Murder with Special Circumstances
                                  - Assault with a Deadly Weapon
                                  - Robbery

 

Los Angeles:  A Graduate student’s death is under investigation by LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division following an assault early Thursday morning.

On July 24, 2014, investigators from the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division responded to the 1200 block of 30th Street to conduct a homicide investigation.  The investigation stemmed from an earlier response by officers from Southwest Division who were summoned to the residence to conduct a death investigation.  The Southwest officers responded to the apartment around 7:00 a.m. where they discovered the victim inside his apartment.

The investigators described the victim as a 24 year-old male Chinese International graduate student who was attending the University of Southern California.  The investigation indicates that the victim was assaulted around 12:45 a.m. in the area of 29th Street and Orchard Avenue while he walked towards his residence on 30th Street.  Investigators believe the victim was assaulted by at least three suspects as he walked home.  The victim was struck with an unknown blunt object during the assault and the motive for the attack is still under investigation.  Following the attack the victim was able to make his way back to his apartment a short distance away where he was found dead later that morning.

Investigators worked throughout the day on the investigation and continue to follow leads and tips related to this murder.  Anyone who may have witnessed the crime or any incident that occurred in the area of 29th Street and Orchard Avenue early this morning is urged to contact the LAPD Criminal Gang and Homicide Division.

Anyone with information is urged to call Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341.  During off-hours, calls should be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org. and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”

 

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Good Samaritan Killed in a dispute at a Hollywood Fast Food Restaurant

August 4, 2014
UPDATE

 

Suspect Arrested and Charged for the Death of Good Samaritan

Los Angeles:  On Thursday, July 31, 2014, Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood Division officers arrested Jeremy Harris in connection with the homicide of Gabriel Ortega, a Good Samaritan who prevented the assault on a small child.  On August 4, 2014, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed Voluntary Manslaughter charges against Jeremy Harris. 

 

Hollywood:  Los Angeles Police Department West Bureau Homicide Detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect responsible for the death of 57-year-old Gabriel Ortega, a Hollywood resident.

On June 18, 2014, around 9:35 p.m., the victim was inside a restaurant located in the 1400 block of Vine Street, when he saw the suspect yelling at a small child in the restaurant.  The suspect clinched his fists and walked toward the child.  Ortega, a Good Samaritan, stood in front of the child to shield him from what appeared to be an imminent attack and told the suspect to leave the child alone.  The suspect punched Ortega and fled the restaurant.

On June 21, 2014, Ortega checked himself into a local hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries on July 14, 2014.

On July 23, 2014, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a result of blunt force trauma.

The suspect is described as a 30-40-year-old male African-American, no further description.

Anyone with information is urged to contact West Bureau Homicide Detectives Jose Robledo or Fernando Rivas at (213) 382-9470.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimes Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) on most keypads) with cell a phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips.”

 

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65-Year Old Missing Woman

UPDATE
July 30, 2014

Ms. Williams has been located in Belize with family.

 

Los Angeles:  The family of Ms. Lollet Williams and the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Person’s Unit are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Ms. Williams.

On July 23, 2014, around 12:30 p.m., a family member saw Ms. Williams exiting a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) bus at South Western Avenue and West Martin Luther King Boulevard in the city of Los Angeles.  Ms. Williams told family members she wanted to return to her native country, Belize, using a Greyhound bus.  

Ms. Williams is described as a 65-year old female Hispanic with brown eyes and naturally gray hair that has recently been dyed black.  She stands 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 160 pounds.  She has a heavy build and a medium complexion.  Ms. Williams has been diagnosed with diabetes, depression, and slight dementia.  She uses a prosthetic left foot and relies on a wheel chair for mobility.  She was last seen wearing a blue and purple blouse over a pink shirt.   
         
If you have seen Ms. Williams or have any information about her please contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800.  During non- business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

 

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Motorists/General Public Have Options for Accessing LAX During Century Crunch, July 25-28

Los Angeles: Century Crunch is this weekend, July 25-28, and those planning to travel to LAX are being reminded that Century Boulevard at Aviation Boulevard will be closed for 57 hours so that an old railroad bridge can be demolished and replaced by a new state-of-the-art light-rail station for the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project. The closure will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, July 25 and end at 6 a.m. Monday, July 28. The best advice is to avoid the area but for those who must reach the airport, there are options. Public transit is the best way to avoid what could be a difficult drive. Metro has five bus lines (102, 111, 117, 232 and 120) and the Metro Green Line serving LAX. Take the Green Line to Aviation/LAX Station. Go downstairs and catch the free LAX “G” shuttle. It serves all terminals. Go to metro.net for details. The LAX FlyAway runs regular service to the airport, as do other municipal lines. The FlyAway links to the airport from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, the Metro Expo La Brea Station, Van Nuys, Westwood and Santa Monica. For FlyAway details go to lawa.org/flyaway. Municipal lines that serve LAX include Beach Cities Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Culver City Bus. Go to their websites for details. Century Boulevard is a major artery to Los Angeles International Airport with more than 92,000 motorists traveling through the Century and Aviation boulevards intersection daily so it is imperative that drivers plan ahead embarking on a trip to the airport during Century Crunch weekend. If you absolutely must drive to LAX, allow extra time, check real-time traffic conditions by calling 511 on your phone or go to go511.com on your computer or mobile device. And consider this detour: Coming from the south: Drive north on the I-405 freeway, head west on the 105 freeway, exit at Sepulveda Boulevard and go north to LAX. Coming from the east on the I-105 freeway, exit north on Sepulveda to LAX. Coming from the north: Drive south on the I-405 freeway and exit at either Howard Hughes Parkway or La Tijera Boulevard. At Sepulveda Boulevard head south to LAX. The $2.058 billion Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project is an 8.5-mile light-rail line that will connect the Green Line with the Expo Line. The Crenshaw/LAX Line is expected to open in 2019. For more information on the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, the Century bridge demolition, related street closures and recommended detours go to:metro.net/crenshaw or call the project hotline (213) 922-2736 or Metro Customer Relations at (323) GO.METRO.

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NOTES July 22, 2014 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

Commission Meetig 7-22-14

Police Commissioner Paula Madison opened the meeting. For commissioner comments, Commissioner Kathleen Kim mentioned briefly that she had recently visited the Department’s K-9 Unit where she was very impressed during a two-hour demonstration of their skills and activities. She also thanked the K-9 personnel for their time. The meeting continued with the Report of the Chief of Police.

Chief Charlie Beck began his report by acknowledging that beginning July 1st of this year, overtime pay in cash has once again become available to officers. In reference to that, he commented that availability of overtime pay was a positive development for both officers and the city. Secondly, he talked about being in discussions with city officials and the Los Angeles Police Protective League to make an impact on the low starting wage for new officers and shrink the disparity in salaries between them and officers who have been in service longer. Chief Beck closed his report with his usual rundown of crime statistics.

Executive Director Richard Tefank’s report only noted that the commission is still accepting input relative to the reappointment of the Chief of Police. He went on to provide contact information where input may be directed.

Commissioner Madison introduced several relatives who were in the audience, many of which were visiting from overseas, including China, Hong Kong and England. Two of her relatives presented Chief Beck with artwork as a gesture of thanks and good will. Commissioner Madison also explained that she had conducted a search for her relatives and has written a book about her experiences.

Regular Agenda Items then ensued, with Items 8C and 8D, consecutively, being approved as follows:

- 8C: The Department’s Report, dated July 18, 2014, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for 77th Area, as set forth, was approved.
- 8D: The Department’s Report, dated July 18, 2014, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for Harbor Area, as set forth, was approved.

The meeting continued with the two remaining Regular Agenda Items (8A and 8B), which Commissioner Robert Saltzman pulled for discussion. Item 8-A was about a departmental report concerning the Categorical Use of Force Process Audit (IAID #13-060). Performance Auditor Jeffry Phillips and others represented the Department before the Commissioners. Discussion topics focused on areas of the audit that addressed objectives, departmental strengths and weaknesses, and specific recommendations for improvement. A significant part of the discussion about areas that needed improvement concerned use of force, especially the 30-minute time limit for divisional watch commanders to notify RACR when a use of force or categorical use of force occurs.

Discussion continued with Item 8-B, relative to a departmental report about the Biased Policing (complaints) Update, Quarterly Report, 1st Quarter 2014 and Supplemental Year-end 2013. Commander Stuart Maislin of the Internal Affairs Group represented the Department before the commissioners. Much of Commander Maislin’s presentation consisted of going over bias- policing-related statistics and attempting to clarify their meaning and significance. He also talked about the complaint mediation process. The commissioners had some questions and comments to which Commander Maislin responded. They also suggested a few additions and improvements.