LAPD Blog

19-Year Old Shot and Killed

Los Angeles: Rampart Homicide Detectives are investigating the murder of David Enrique DeLeon, age 18.

On August 8, 2008, at around 3:20 AM, patrol officers responded to a shooting call in the area of Lake Street and Beverly Boulevard.  Upon arrival, the officers saw a black, four-door BMW that had collided with a business on the south curb of Beverly Boulevard.   DeLeon was found seated in the driver seat, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.  He was taken to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.   

The investigation revealed that DeLeon and his passengers were travelling southbound on Lake Street and had stopped at the intersection at Beverly Boulevard behind a green or grey mini-van.  As DeLeon waited to make a westbound turn onto Beverly Boulevard, the right front passenger of the mini-van began to fire multiple rounds.  Several rounds struck the car and DeLeon.

Wounded by the gunfire, Deleon lost control of his car and rolled through the intersection and crashed into a business building on the south side of the street.  The suspects’ then drove off westbound on Beverly Boulevard. 

The shooter was described as a male Hispanic, 19-25 years of age, approximately 150 pounds with a shaved head.  He has a medium complexion, and was wearing a white athletic type shirt. 

The mini-van was a late 1990’s or early 2000 model.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rampart Homicide Detectives, J. Pere or G. Lee at 213-484-3650.  On weekends or after hours, call the toll free 24-hour anonymous number at
1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

Hit and Run Motorcyclist Sought

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a Hit and Run motorcyclist. 

On August 4, 2008, just before 1:00 PM., 62-year old, Lauren Charles Black of Los Angeles, was crossing Glendale Blvd at Rockwood Street when he was struck by a suspect riding his motorcycle northbound on Glendale Boulevard.  The suspect left the scene of the accident without stopping to identify himself or render aid to the fallen victim.   

Mr. Black was taken to a local hospital in extremely critical condition and is now on life support.

The motorcycle was described as a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 or 750, blue and white in color.  There is damage to the front of the motorcycle as a result of the collision.  The suspect was described as a male, 5 feet 9 inches, 160 pounds, 25-30 years old, wearing a black and white jacket, with a black helmet.

The detectives have also been unsuccessful in locating any of Mr. Black's family members.  He is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 4 inches, 135 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information regarding this crime or with contact information for the victim’s family is urged to contact Central Traffic Detective Felix Padilla or Josephine Mapson, at 213-972-1825.   During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at
1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

My View: When we invest in youths' hope, we hurt gangs

By Leroy D. Baca and William J. Bratton - Special to The Bee

August 7, 2024
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A21

As law enforcement officers who have worked for years to suppress gang-related violence, we have learned that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Law enforcement is indeed critical - and making real gains - but if we want to break the cycle of violence in our streets, we have to give the children who join gangs a better option.

In Los Angeles, intervention is a major part of a multifaceted plan against gang violence. Such a comprehensive approach is critical, considering that L.A. County has an estimated 1,100 gangs with 86,000 members.

But gang violence has actually fallen since the early 1990s, with gang-related murders down by more than half. Part of the downturn came because our offices work together more collaboratively and share a philosophy about what it takes to break the violence cycle. Intervention is a big part and we owe a lot to one man for getting at the root causes of gang terror.

Twenty years ago this year, a Jesuit priest named Father Greg Boyle took a chance and tested a theory. He put a half-dozen gang members to work cleaning and doing odd jobs at Dolores Mission Church with the idea that providing an honest trade could pave the way out of a life of crime and imprisonment. For young people who turn to gangs when they see no other viable alternative, Father Greg was offering one.

Today, those jobs have grown into Homeboy Industries, a $9 million enterprise that includes a bakery, cafe, silkscreen business, landscaping services and a retail store. It has employed thousands of former gang members with little education and no résumés, offering free job and life training, mental health counseling, housing assistance and tattoo removal to help them integrate into mainstream society.

Studies have shown gang members who join an intervention program are up to 60 percent less likely of going back to the gang lifestyle.

Father Greg has said Homeboy Industries is about fundamentally changing the community ecology that supports gang culture.

"Gang violence is about a lethal absence of hope," he says. "I've never met a hopeful kid who joined a gang."

Father Greg's approach shows that eliminating gang culture is not just wishful thinking. His model is powerful evidence that we can change the social environment in which violence is seen as a route to manhood. Every year Father Greg helps hundreds of youths turn around their lives and become examples to their peers by securing jobs and new skills.

If we want to change the gang culture in our cities, as Homeboy is doing in L.A., it doesn't happen overnight. Putting a permanent dent in youth violence requires a long-term approach.

Unfortunately, the long-term nature of this work makes it very vulnerable in times of budget deficits. But it takes a sustained investment for even the most innovative efforts to pay off.

That's why even in tough budget times, the governor and Legislature must maintain their commitment to programs like the California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention initiative, which provides cities, counties and organizations competitive grants for job training and education targeted to youths at risk of joining gangs or seeking to leave them.

Because, to quote Homeboy's tagline, "Nothing stops a bullet like a job."

About the writers: Leroy D. Baca is Los Angeles County sheriff. William J. Bratton is chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Shotgun Welding Suspect Stopped by LAPD Officers

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers investigating a “shooting just occurred” radio call became involved in an officer involved shooting when the suspect pointed a shotgun at them in the West Valley area.

On Tuesday, August 5, 2024 at about 11:00 a.m., West Valley Division officers went to investigate a radio call of a shooting in the 5800 block of Jamieson Avenue.  Officers were directed to a residence at the 5800 block of Balcom Avenue where the gunshots had emanated. 

Officers Alexis Padron, who has 12 years and 3 months with the department; Dave Soissons, who has 12 years and 4 months with the department; Brian McDonald, a 10-year department veteran; and Jason Duplantis, who has 2 years and 7 months on the department, were among the officers, who went to the scene. 

The officers were in the process of setting up a perimeter on the residence when the suspect came out of the house armed with a shotgun.  The suspect advanced towards the officers, pointing his shotgun at them.  An officer involved shooting occurred and the suspect fell to the ground, dropping the gun.

Officers ordered the suspect to stay on the ground, but the suspect got up and attempted to rearm himself with the shotgun.  This resulted in a second officer involved shooting.

The suspect was taken into custody. 

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel went to the location and pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.  The suspect’s name has not been released until his family has been notified. 

A shotgun was recovered at the scene and evidence appears to indicate that the suspect fired on the officers.

No officers were injured as a result of this incident.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.

Family Pleads for Public’s Help in Finding Missing 11-Year-Old Boy

Los Angeles: The family of Hugo Bernardo Rojas and the Los Angeles Police Department request the public’s assistance in locating 11-year-old Hugo.

Hugo was last seen on August 6, 2024 at the 1100 block of East 41st Place in Los Angeles.   

Hugo is described as a male Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes.  He is 4 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 80 pounds.  He was last seen wearing a black shirt, blue shorts and black shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD’s Newton Division, Officer Lucas Padilla at 323-846-6576.  On weekends or during off-hours, please call the watch commander at 323-846-6547.

A photograph is available through Media Relations Section (213) 485-3586.

National Night Out 2008

(August 5, 2024) As part of a national campaign, the Los Angeles Police Department fully participated in this year’s National Night Out.  With communities across the country holding events to raise awareness, the LAPD held nothing back as the Department partnered with various organizations in bringing a night of family fun to the people of Los Angeles.

The Newton area event was held at Lizarraga Elementary School.  With approximately 1,500 people in attendance, there was something for the entire family to enjoy.  There were representatives from the Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer Club in attendance giving away free T-shirts and stickers. MTV TR3’s was there as well as representatives from the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Other organizations such as 1-800-DENTIST, the Red Cross, the Department of Water and Power and the Los Angeles Fire Department were on hand giving out key chains, stickers and information on services. But perhaps the biggest attraction was the appearance of Aria Wallace from the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly and Victoria Justice from Zoey 101.  They autographed photos and were made available for pictures.

The Central area event was held in Little Tokyo and had a different vibe to it.  There were Japanese folk dancers performing on one of two stages, various venders selling items such as incense and Japanese cuisine. A boxing ring was set up in the middle of the street and amateur fighters from the Boxing Academy Los Angeles held exhibition matches.  The evening culminated with a motorcade of police motorcycles and pedestrian cyclists through the streets of Downtown Los Angeles.    

These were just two of approximately 60 city-wide events held as part of the National Night Out campaign.  In its 25th year, the National Night Out campaign is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Thank you to everyone for all their hard work and planning in making National Night Out 2008 a huge success.

NOTES FOR THE August 5, 2024 POLICE COMMISSION WEEKLY MEETING

•    Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco attended the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.

•    Police Commission Vice President John Mack attended the National Urban League Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida and attended presentations by presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

•    Commissioner Andrea Ordin met with Inspector General André Birotte to discuss policing in Skid Row and the Central City East area.

•    Commissioner Alan Skobin attended a reception for District Attorney Steve Cooley, met with the Devonshire Area Community Police Advisory Board Co-Chair, and met with a senior DEA official regarding issues of mutual interest. 

•    Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger reported, thanks to the extraordinary work of LAPD officers, there are reductions in every single crime category.  The month of July also marks a historic low with 19 deaths reported.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 10, 2008, relative to the Adjudication of Categorical Use of Force Incidents - Completion of Training Status Report - June 2008, as presented by Captain Scott Sargent was received and filed. 

•    The Department’s report, dated July 11, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Report for Funding for the 2008/09 Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) Program, was approved the Department’s report and transmitted the report concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 25, 2008, relative to Approval of Twenty-Third Amendment to Agreement No. C-94580 with Northrop Grumman Information Technology, Inc., for System Integration, Design, and Implementation Services for an Enhanced Emergency Command Control Communications System (ECCCS), was approved.                                    
•    The Department’s report, dated July 23, 2008, relative to the Proposed Revisions to Council Approved Records Retention Schedule for Original/Official Records for 77th Street Area, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 17, 2008, relative to the Narcotics Analysis Laboratory
Trust Fund Expenditure Plan No. 14, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 18, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Grant Budget Modification and Extension Request for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
National Executive Session on Gangs Grant (Award No. 2003CKWXK068), was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 25, 2008, relative to the Request for Approval of the
Professional Moving and Relocation Services Agreement with King Van & Storage, Inc., was approved and transmitted to the Mayor.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 9, 2008, relative to the Hunter-La Ley 4th Quarter
Report - Covering Deployment Periods 4-6, Fiscal Year 2007-08, as presented by Captain
Kevin McClure and Police Administrator Gerald Chaleff was received and filed.  Police Administrator Chaleff stated outreach efforts have been made to encourage officers to take promotional exams to widen the pool of candidates from which the Department is able to select from.  Commission Vice President John Mack asked that an update be given in the future to include a presentation by the various employee associations on what they are doing to encourage promotion among personnel.  Commissioner Alan Skobin also asked that future reports include a breakdown of percentages by area. 

•    The Department’s report, dated July 28, 2008, relative to the Request for Permission to
Execute Personal Services Agreement with Police Assessment Resource Center, as presented by Senior Management Analyst Wanda Bell was approved and transmitted to the Mayor. 

•    The Department’s report, dated July 28, 2008, in response to City Council Action Relative to
Gang Issues, was approved and transmitted to the Ad Hoc Committee on Gang Violence and Youth Development.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 28, 2008, relative to the Transmittal of the Grant
Application for the 2008 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program from the Bureau of
Justice Assistance, was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.

•    The Department’s report, dated July 24, 2008, relative to the Mandatory Training Update
Subsequent to a Categorical Use of Force, as presented by Capt. Sargent was approved.  The transition process to the new adjudication model will ensure training is completed as soon as possible as training is most effective when it is conducted in a timely manner.  Once an investigation has been completed, specific training will be recommended.  Until then, general update training will be given. 

•    The Department’s reoprt, dated May 15, 2008, and Office of Inspector General’s report dated, July 25, 2008, relative to the Department’s Discipline Report for the First Quarter of 2008, as presented by Inspector General André Birotte, Jr. and Commander Rick Webb were approved.  Inspector Birotte informed the Commission that an analysis of allegations of false statements will be conducted in the future.  Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco requested Inspector General Birotte provide Commissioner Andrea Ordin periodic reports on the analysis.  Police Commission Vice President John Mack also requested further investigation into the categories of ethnic remarks, discrimination, racial profiling and unlawful search.  Police Commission President Pacheco directed Executive Director Richard Tefank to schedule an additional update on unlawful searches in the future.  Commissioner Skobin noted it is also important to look at the nature of complaints as part of the analysis.    

•    The meeting was adjourned in memory of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Juan Abel Escalante.

The 2008 Essay Contest Winner

If I were to ever have the chance to become a Police Officer, the first thing that I’ll do is set some serious rules for our community. I would go to the schools and to the streets to talk and listen to all gangsters and teens who are not involved in gangs yet and try to find out what drives them to do bad things and try to find a solution to the problem. I would try to persuade them to have some self control and to think about how many innocent people are being affected and hurt by there act of violence.

I would try to get them involved in other activities like sports, maybe even some counseling such as anger management if needed. Yes it would be nice to get them out of those alleys (they love to hang out in just so that it can be easier for them to hurt people and get away with it) and put them in jail, but that would not solve anything, they would just get out and go back to the same life.

I would try to convince them to try to get them back in school, help them get a job. We need to help them realize that if they failed once in life that it is never too late, there is always a chance to change their future. We as a community need to get together and start changing one street at a time from violence to peace.

I really care about every person on earth. We are the future and the greatest impact in my community will be safety. Children want to live in a safe environment that we can touch, play, smell and be able to walk safely home from school. We the children need to have a good example on how to live without being scared in this environment. I would put a stop on destroying innocent peoples lives.

“BE SMART AND THINK BEFORE YOU ACT”

2008 LAPD Essay Contest Winners

In its fifth year, the LAPD Essay Contest was a huge success with hundreds of middle school students participating from the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles schools. Each of the 10 winning essays will be featured on the Department’s web site, one each week for the next ten weeks. Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to our sponsors.

In 350 words or less, students were asked to answer, “If you were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day, what would you do that would have the greatest impact on the community?”

If you are interested in participating in the 2009 LAPD Essay Contest, please refer to our website, www.LAPDOnline.org in January 2009 for further information. The 2009 LAPD Essay Contest will open in February for four weeks.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department salute the ten LAPD Essay Contest winners and congratulate the parents, family, and teachers of each winner who share in their joy. The Department extends a sincere thank you to our partners and sponsors, without whom this essay contest would not be possible.

2008 LAPD Essay Contest Partner: Univision KMEX 34 Los Angeles

Sponsors:
Safe Moves
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Polaroid Corporation
Universal Studios Hollywood
Aquarium of the Pacific
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Speedzone
Boomers Park
Los Angeles Dodgers

State of the City Crime Snapshot

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City Crime Rates Drop to Historic Lows LAPD Crime Stats Down to 1970 Levels

Los Angeles:  At a news conference earlier today, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Councilmember Jack Weiss and Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton announced historically low crime rates in the City of Los Angeles.

"Los Angeles is a resilient city, and a tide of safety and security is surging through the streets of our neighborhoods," Mayor Villaraigosa said. "Our success is the direct result of a comprehensive strategy that puts more cops in our communities and more resources in our neighborhoods. And LA's residents are reaping the benefits."

“After six consecutive years of decreasing violent and property crimes,” said Chief Bratton during the news conference, “LAPD is moving in the right direction for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year of declining Part I Crimes.” 

During the months of January and June, the LAPD saw a spike in homicides over a four-day period.  There were 11 and 10 homicides respectively, and in March, homicides were up 40% (+26).

Through strategic deployment of resources, the LAPD has been responsive and successful in its efforts to work on the homicide problem throughout the City and by the month of July, there was a historic decrease in reported homicides, a total of 19.  Citywide, as of August 2, 2008, there has been a 5.2% decrease in homicides, 12 fewer than one year ago.  Not since March of 1970, 38 years ago, has the City of Los Angeles had a month with fewer murders.

The Department continues to work with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to devote resources to target specific areas of the City to address crime issues, and are confident that the Department  is well underway to making Los Angeles the safest big City in America. 

As evidenced by the recent arrest of the murderer responsible for 8 -year-old Jasmine Sanders, the community is helping to solve crimes.  “We cannot do it alone,” said Chief Bratton. “Without the help of the community, we would not be able to solve as many homicides as we have this year.”

"The dramatic decrease in crime in Los Angeles is great news for our City and a testament to the hard work, dedication and vigilance of the Los Angeles Police Department and all of our law-abiding citizens,” said Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco. “We have not seen overall crime at levels this low for almost 40 years. This is an extremely encouraging development and further motivation to continue in the direction we have laid out for ourselves and the City."

Members of the Department acknowledge that work remains to be done and are empathetic to victims and families affected by crime.  Though all murder investigations are handled with thoroughness and care, it is especially difficult to investigate a tragic murder like that of Sheriff Deputy Juan Escalante. 

Robbery Homicide Detectives are working diligently on this case and are seeking the public’s assistance to provide any information they may have regarding the identity of the killer(s).   On behalf of the men and women of the Department, our heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

For specific statistical information about the reduction of crime, please visit the official website of the
Los Angeles Police Department at wwww.lapdonline.org.