LAPD Chief to Preside Over ‘Above & Beyond’ Ceremony

The Los Angeles Police Department will host its Above & Beyond Awards Ceremony Thursday, during which Chief Jim McDonnell will present officers with the department’s highest honors — the Medal of Valor, Purple Heart and Preservation of Life Awards. Thursday’s event, emceed by actor/comedian Howie Mandel, will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The awards honor 16 officers — including a K9 officer named Aro — “who knowingly and willingly placed themselves in grave danger to protect others,” according to an LAPD statement. One officer will be honored posthumously. According to the LAPD, the actions honored include the following: On June 5, 2024, Officers Jose Avila and Jerry Coletto responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call and encountered a violent domestic attack. A woman had been stabbed in the head, while her injured husband struggled to restrain their knife-wielding son. When the suspect refused to comply, Avila attempted crisis negotiation while his partner Coletto deployed less-lethal force to disarm him. Seizing the moment, Avila pulled the injured father to safety. The suspect was taken into custody, and both victims were rescued from further harm. 

MyNewsLA

Man shot in chest after refusing robber’s demands in downtown Los Angeles

A man who refused to give in to the demands of a robber is in critical condition after being shot in the chest in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday night. Police said the victim was approached by a 21-year-old man at a bus stop on Venice Boulevard and South Figueroa Street around 10:45 p.m. The suspect took out a gun and fired multiple rounds at the victim after he refused to give up his property, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to KTLA. Video showed officers treating the downed victim on the sidewalk as they waited for an ambulance to arrive. The unidentified 30-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, the spokesperson said. The unidentified suspect took off on foot after being spotted by responding officers. He was taken into custody about two blocks away in the area of Venice Boulevard and Flower Street.

KTLA 5

Swing for the Officer Needs Help Fund!

Join us for the 43rd Annual Chief Daryl F. Gates Golf Tournament on October 6, 2025 at the beautiful Porter Valley Country Club. This is your chance to tee off for a cause. Every swing helps support the Officer Needs Help Fund. Enjoy a day of friendly competition, scenic fairways, and great company while aiming for exciting prizes and bragging rights. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or just out for the fun, you’ll be part of something truly meaningful. Sponsorship opportunities are available, giving you a chance to showcase your support for our law enforcement family. Don’t miss your shot! Register today and help us drive change, one hole at a time!

Register Now!

Person of interest named in shooting death of nursing student

Authorities Wednesday released the images of a man who they believe may be tied to the death of a nursing student from 2024. Lanai Dees, who was 21 years old at the time of her death, was shot and killed on Nov. 17, 2024 as she was driving her while Mercedes-Benz sedan in the Gramercy Park area of South Los Angeles. Investigators had said Dees was traveling on Century Boulevard at around 12:40 a.m. when she was struck in the head by gunfire, apparently fired from inside a SUV. As LA County offered a $10,000 reward to find the shooter, Dees' mother, Dahlin, pleaded for the public's help during a news conference last year. "It's hard to walk past her room every day and know she won't come out and say, 'Good morning, mom,'" she said. Jordan Dees, her brother, urged anyone with information to come forward. "Please call the detectives," Jordan Dees said. "My sister was amazing. She was sweet, kind and loving. I truly love my sister. These people have altered my family's lives." Anyone with information was urged to contact LASD Homicide Det. Guillen or Det. Collinsworth at (323) 890-5500.

NBC 4

6 arrested for string of jewelry store burglaries in LA, Orange and Riverside counties

Six people were arrested in connection with a series of burglaries and smash-and-grab robberies across Southern California in September, according to Riverside County authorities. Deputies were called to the 72800 block of Highway 111 in Palm Desert on August 9 at around 2:15 p.m. after they were made aware of a robbery that happened at a jewelry store in the area, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. Multiple callers reported that four masked people entered the store with hammers, which they used to destroy several display cases. Authorities said that more than $87,000 worth of merchandise was stolen before they fled. While investigating the incident, detectives found that the Palm Desert location was one of twelve different smash-and-grab-type incidents that had happened across Southern California, including in Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties, starting back in May. 

CBS 2

Beleaguered Northern California jewelry store turns to security gadgets to help snag robbers

A Northern California jewelry store that has been robbed twice since 2023 has turned to innovative methods to stop, deter and ultimately capture a series of armed bandits. Between 20 and 25 masked suspects stormed into Heller Jewelers in San Ramon on Monday around 1:50 p.m. and began smashing display cases, according to the San Ramon Police Department. Surveillance footage obtained by ABC News showed suspects using crowbars to break glass and pilfer an estimated $1 million in loot, while others entered the store with handguns. Before the suspects could exit, however, the shop’s security measures activated and the store’s door closed, momentarily trapping the mob. San Ramon police told a local news station that the closed door would have required a security guard to open. Cellphone footage shows at least one suspect opening fire on the security door. The suspects eventually broke through and fled to awaiting vehicles in the mall’s valet parking section.

Los Angeles Times

‘I thank God': Man’s planned ambush against Texas depuites thwarted when automatic rifle jams

A man with a rifle and plenty of ammunition waited in the woods to shoot deputies, but his planned ambush fell apart when his gun jammed, Texas authorities say. Deputies responded to a call in Humble early on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and came under fire as they arrived, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a post on X. The shooter, identified as 47-year-old Kenyon Levor Coleman, was opening fire with an “automatic rifle” – but the volley suddenly stopped when the rifle jammed and “Coleman was unable to clear it,” Gonzalez said. He retreated further into the woods, but deputies pursued and arrested him, the sheriff said. Coleman was prepared for a fight, Gonzalez said, as he was dressed in all black, had plenty of ammo at the ready, and even set up what appears to be a beach or camping chair. Coleman’s weapon jammed before he was able to hit anyone, according to Gonzalez. “I thank God no deputies were hurt,” the sheriff said. Coleman was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault of a police officer, officials said. In the post, Gonzalez said it “appears as though the initial call for service was a possible fake/swatting call.” However, the sheriff’s office later said that a fake call received that day was actually unrelated to Coleman, KTRK reported.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

‘Don’t lose that fight’: Tense stop turns into heartwarming moment as N.C. deputy helps struggling woman

A routine traffic stop in March turned into a heart-warming encounter between a North Carolina sheriff’s deputy and a woman going through a hard time, WSOC reported. Deputy Shawn Singleton with the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office pulled over Katelyn Ricchini for going 61 mph in a 45 mph zone after she left church. Video shows Ricchini met the deputy with visible frustration. “I met him with absolute attitude, just absolute attitude,” Ricchini later told WSOC. Ricchini can be heard questioning the timing of the stop and venting her frustration. But Singleton remained calm and respectful. “No, everybody is entitled to a bad day… but I’m trying to be nice and courteous to you, and I’m getting a lot of heat.” Despite the rough start, Singleton gave her a warning instead of a citation. What happened next surprised them both. When Singleton asked if Ricchini was okay, she broke down. She told him about her anxiety, her difficult past and her fight for sobriety. She had recently moved to North Carolina to escape an abusive relationship and leave behind a life of addiction. Her 5-year-old son remained in Maryland while she worked to rebuild her life.

PoliceOne

Car crashes into building, man pinned under vehicle in Valley Glen

At least one person was hurt Wednesday afternoon when a car crash resulted in one of the vehicles slamming into a business in the San Fernando Valley. The crash was reported just before 2 p.m. on the 13000 block of Victory Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. There, a white sedan crashed into Portillo Income Tax. Video from the scene showed extensive damage to the front of the car as well as to the business. Due to the crash, one person’s leg became trapped under the vehicle. That man was extricated and evaluated at the scene. The severity of his injuries is unclear. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation is ongoing.

NBC 4

LA General Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying John Doe Found in Lincoln Heights

Authorities sought the public’s help Wednesday in identifying a hospitalized patient who was found on the street in Lincoln Heights. The man, who appears to be 40 to 50 years old, has been at Los Angeles General Medical Center since Sept. 10, according to the L.A. County Department of Health Services, which runs the hospital. He was found in the 2800 block of North Main Street. The patient was described as Hispanic, 5-feet-2 inches tall, 127 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information that could help hospital staff identify the man was urged to call the hospital’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5254.

MyNewsLA

Mayor Bass gives final approval to $2.62B LA Convention Center expansion plan ahead of 2028 Olympics

Mayor Karen Bass on Wednesday gave final approval to the Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion Project and announced new efforts that she said will support the downtown area's ongoing revitalization in the immediate term during construction. During a news conference inside the Convention Center's West Hall, Bass said the $2.62 billion expansion is more than just another project, describing it as an investment for the city and the local economy. The expansion aims to bring more jobs to the downtown area and prepare the facility for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. "It is our responsibility to do this in a way that first and foremost protects our fiscal level, and we'll work in partnership with the City Council to implement cost-saving measures, efficiency, improvements and streamline our projects, which is most important to ensure our timing while we do everything to fast track this project in a responsible way," Bass said.

ABC 7

City council committee expected to finalize plan to address homeless bed gap

A City Council committee is expected on Thursday to finalize efforts to meet obligations under the settlement of a federal lawsuit to have 12,915 beds available to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles by June 2027. If the five-member Housing and Homelessness Committee approves the plan, it will advance to the full City Council for consideration. According to a report from City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo, as of June 30, the city has 7,440 beds with another 3,776 in the process of coming online, totaling 11,216. If any of these beds are discontinued for any reason, replacement units will be needed. The city must open an additional 2,093 beds. To meet that gap, Szabo outlined a proposed plan consisting of 130 non- congregate beds, 1,800 time-limited subsidies and 200 recreational vehicle time-limited subsidies for a total of 2,130 beds. He proposed city officials pursue time-limited subsidies as a way to add beds because of how cost efficient they are, noting that it would cost approximately $24,309 per year.

NBC 4

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,700 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.