FBI arrests East LA man for allegedly distributing face shields during protests

An East Los Angeles neighborhood awoke to "flashbangs, some explosions" early Thursday morning as federal agents arrested a man on an allegation of distributing face shields to "suspected rioters," according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Resident Arturo Rosales said the loud noises woke him up, and when he looked outside at 6th Street and Ditman Avenue, he saw the National Guard and the streets cordoned off with "white, unmarked vans." According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, deputies were at the scene to assist FBI agents with a search warrant. Rosales said he saw FBI agents, "raiding the house two doors down here … they pulled out one person." U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli wrote on X that "Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested this morning by @FBILosAngeles on an allegation of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders (18 USC 371) for distributing face shields to suspected rioters on Tuesday." The U.S. Attorney confirmed on X that this is part of the ongoing efforts to arrest and identify people involved in "organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles." 

CBS 2

L.A. law enforcement leaders walk tightrope amid immigration crackdown

While publicly chastising groups protesting immigration raids, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell has offered support to officers in his Latino-majority department who may have mixed feelings about the Trump administration‘s crackdown. In a department-wide missive sent out earlier this week as protests ramped up, McDonnell acknowledged some officers were “facing criticism from the community or wrestling with the personal impact” of recent events and needed support. “When federal immigration enforcement actions take place in communities that may reflect your own heritage, neighborhoods, or even your family’s story, it can create a deep and painful conflict,” he wrote. “You may be wearing the uniform and fulfilling your duty, but inside, you’re asked to hold a complex mix of emotions.” It was an unusual display of solidarity for a chief who has rarely waded into the contentious immigration debate. McDonnell has bristled over criticism about his relationship with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while serving as Los Angeles County sheriff during President Trump’s first term.

Los Angeles Times

‘We will kill you graveyard dead': Florida sheriff warns against harming law enforcement during protests

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a harsh warning Thursday to protesters who use violence in his county: “We will kill you graveyard dead.” Speaking at a news conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Ivey said peaceful protests “are part of our democracy” and allowed, but anyone who uses violence or interferes with law enforcement will be met with force, potentially lethal force. “Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at,” he said. “Because we will kill you graveyard dead. We’re not going to play.” Ivey spoke as protests over the Trump administration’s immigration policies have rocked Los Angeles and popped up in other cities and as nationwide protests against the president’s actions are planned for Saturday. The sheriff, in office since 2013, said if anyone tries to mob a car, they will likely be run over and dragged across the street. If anyone strikes a deputy, they will be going to the hospital and likely will be bitten by one of the agency’s “big, beautiful” dogs, he added.

Orlando Sentinel

Teen shot and killed in South Bay, suspect remains at large

Police are searching for a suspect after a young man was shot and killed in the South Bay of Los Angeles early Friday morning. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in Wilmington at about 1:15 a.m., according to authorities. The officers found a vehicle carrying about six people in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Wilmington Boulevard, with one suffering from a gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were attempted on the man who was shot, but he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. He was identified by police only as an 18-year-old man, with the release of his identity pending notification of next of kin. Investigations revealed that the shooting that fatally wounded the man took place at Q Street and Lagoon Avenue, not far from where police found the car. Police said it was likely a car-to-car shooting, and there's a possibility it was gang-related. Of the six people inside of the vehicle, there were multiple under the age of 18, per police.

CBS 2

Las Vegas: 94 arrested, 4 cops injured after anti-ICE protest declared unlawful assembly

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested Wednesday evening when Metro Police declared an unlawful assembly at a downtown Las Vegas demonstration against nationwide immigration raids. In addition to the 94 arrests, Metro wrote in a press release that it issued seven juvenile citations. Four officers were injured, according to the department, as demonstrators threw water bottles and rocks. Metro also noted that “several buildings” were spray painted while other property was vandalized. “Dispersal orders were given for the crowd of approximately 800 to leave the area,” the department wrote. “Officers issued dispersal orders in both English and Spanish. Citizens who refused to comply were arrested for various criminal and traffic infractions.” Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the Nevada ACLU , wrote online late Wednesday that the organization’s legal observers said the dispersal order was “not audible to all.” “LVMPD understands the rights of our citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights but will not tolerate acts of violence and vandalism,” Metro wrote in a statement. “We ask that those who choose to exercise their First Amendment rights do so peacefully and lawfully.”

Las Vegas Sun

Man ordered to stand trial in deadly Metro bus hijacking in downtown Los Angeles

A man accused of fatally shooting a passenger aboard a Metro bus last year, then hijacking the vehicle and sparking a slow-speed police chase from South Los Angeles to downtown, has been ordered to stand trial on murder and other charges. Following a hearing that took just over a day and included testimony from the bus driver and two of the passengers, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sean D. Coen found there was "sufficient cause" to allow the case against Lamont Campbell, 51, to proceed to trial. Campbell is charged with one count each of murder, carjacking, kidnapping during a carjacking, assault with a handgun, attempted murder, robbery, felony evading and being a felon in possession of a firearm, along with three counts of kidnapping involving the alleged crimes last Sept. 25. The shooting and hijacking occurred about 12:45 a.m. that day near Manchester Avenue and Figueroa Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

ABC 7

One Wounded in Highland Park Shooting

A man is hospitalized Friday with multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot by an unknown assailant in Highland Park. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded at 1:10 a.m. to 6154 Aldama St. and York Boulevard where they learned the victim was walking to his car when the suspect approached him, drew a handgun and shot him, LAPD Officer Matthew Chavez told City News Service. The suspect ran away in an unknown direction. The victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition. There was no suspect description.

MyNewsLA

2 men, cousins, accused in brutal 2024 murder of U.S. Marine in L.A. County

Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the brutal 2024 murder of a 42-year-old active-duty United States Marine in Los Angeles County, officials announced. The violence, according to a news release from the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, occurred around 2 a.m. on May 28, 2024, outside of a bar in Bellflower. Prosecutors allege that 21-year-old Long Beach resident Damari Kensey and 28-year-old Inglewood resident Jaymel Williams, who are cousins, followed Peter Chounthala out of the bar and violently beat him, leaving him seriously injured in the middle of Artesia Boulevard, near Virginia Avenue where he was then struck by a motorist who failed to stop, identify themselves or render aid. The driver who hit the 42-year-old has not been identified, authorities noted. Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with paramedics with the L.A. County Fire Department arrived at the location and declared Chounthala, a husband and father of a 3-year-old boy, dead at the scene.  

KTLA 5

LAFD Investigate Possible Hazardous Materials Leak Inside Cargo Ship in San Pedro

Los Angeles Fire Department ground and marine units Friday are investigating a reported leak of an undetermined volume of polyester resin from inside a 20-foot cargo container aboard a 1,100-foot Singapore flagged cargo vessel in San Pedro. Fire crews were called at 1:09 a.m. Friday to 701 E. New Dock St. to access the potential leak aboard the Wan Hai A16, which is moored at the Yusen Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles, said LAFD spokesman Brian Humphrey. No injuries have been reported, and “no escalating or off-site hazard has been identified,” Humphrey said.

MyNewsLA

Small plane makes emergency landing in waters off Port of Los Angeles

A small plane made an emergency landing in the ocean near the Port of Los Angeles Thursday afternoon as emergency crews rushed to the scene to assist the pilot. The U.S. Coast Guard, L.A. Port Police and LAFD fireboard and land crews responded to the scene around 2:30 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The seaplane-type aircraft was found floating in the water, the fire department said. There is no fire or fuel spill. The pilot, who was the single occupant of the plane, did not report injuries, according to officials. The aircraft was towed by a harbor patrol boat to a nearby dock. The FAA said in a statement late Thursday afternoon that the pilot of a Super Petrel LS amphibious airplane reported engine issues just before the unexpected landing. The FAA is investigating the incident.

ABC 7

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,800 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.