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February 08, 2025

SWAT Incident Details and Investigation Findings

Updated News Conference on SWAT Incident

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is now providing additional information about the gunman and victims who perished in yesterday’s shootout involving the LAPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, along with a funeral date for slain SWAT Team Officer Randal Simmons, including trust funds and donation opportunities created for Simmons and seriously wounded SWAT Officer James Veenstra, who remains hospitalized in stable condition. Veenstra, who underwent several hours of surgery yesterday, is continuing to improve. It is expected he will undergo future surgeries, including jaw reconstruction.

Both Simmons and Veenstra have been highly recognized within LAPD for their dedication and expertise. Simmons was an assistant squad leader and served as a mentor and inspiration to other members of the team. He was also the most tenured member of the SWAT’s critical Crisis Negotiation Team. Veenstra received a 1999 Medal of Valor, the LAPD’s highest honor, for rescue efforts during a 1997 domestic violence gunfight.

Also injured with minor abrasions from bullet fragments were SWAT Officers David Keortge and Michael Odle who are in excellent condition. Keortge has been with the LAPD for 14 years and on the SWAT Team for nine months. Odle has served 29 years as an LAPD officer and been on the SWAT Team for 17 years.

Through the Los Angeles County Coroner, the gunman has been identified as Edwin Rivera, age 20. There were three victims from the suspect’s family identified as Gerardo Rivera, age 54,  Edgar Rivera, age 21 and Endi Rivera, age 25. The gunman’s motives are still being examined. However, LAPD investigators have determined that he suffered from psychological problems that may have contributed to his actions.

Viewing will be on Thur., Feb. 14, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Holy Christian Fellowship International Church, 225 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson, CA. Funeral arrangements for Simmons are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008, at the Crenshaw Christian Faith Dome, 7901 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. The Interment immediately following will be at Holy Cross Cemetary, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City.

On Wed., Feb. 13, 2008, the Burger King at 700 W. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Los Angeles will donate 100 percent of its sales from 6 a.m. to midnight to the Simmons family, courtesy of Ralph and Larry Cimmarusti, who own more than 50 Burger King Restaurants in Los Angeles and Texas. As committed partners of the LAPD, the Cimmarusti brothers donated over $27,000 to the family of Officer Landon Dorris following his death from a traffic accident on Oct. 22, 2006.

Courtesy of the United States Marine Corp Law Enforcement Foundation, the Simmons’ two children will each receive scholarships in the form of a $30,000 zero coupon bond that will mature on each child’s 18th birthday. The scholarships will be for academic purposes at the educational institution of choice. 

Trust funds for Simmons and Veenstra have also been established through the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU). To make a contribution, donors should go to the LAPFCU web site at www.lapfcu.org and click on the red square entitled “LAPFCU Community Corner.”  Donations may also be mailed to the following locations:

LAPFCU
Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/ Officer Randal Simmons
Acct. 2030077-product code S4.12
16150 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA  91410

LAPFCU
Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/ Officer James Veenstra
Acct. 2030077-product code S4.13
16150 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA  91410

Contributions in their honor may also be made to:
The Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation and/or The Los Angeles Police Foundation  at 213 489-4636.

February 07, 2025

Trust Funds Established for Police Officer III+1 Randal Simmons and Police Officer III+1 James Veenstra

Los Angeles: Due to overwhelming support for LAPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team Officers Randal Simmons and James Veenstra, trust funds have been established in both their names through the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFC).

To make a donation, please go to: www.lapfcu.org and click on the red square titled “LAPFCU Community Corner.”   Donations may also be received by mail:


LAPFCU
Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/ Officer Randal Simmons
Acct. 2030077-product code S4.12
16150 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA  91410
(877) 695-2732

LAPFCU
Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/ Officer James Veenstra
Acct. 2030077-product code S4.13
16150 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA  91410
(877) 695-2732

Contributions in their honor may also be made to:

Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation www.lapmf.org 213-847-4239.

Los Angeles Police Foundation  www.lapolicefoundation.org  213-489-4636.

For additional information, please call Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

LAPD Mourns Loss of Veteran SWAT Officer

News Conference SWAT_Ofcr.MP3

Simmonsrandy Shortly, after 9:00 last night, the Los Angeles Police Department's Communications Division received a 911 call from a home in West Valley in the 19000 block of Welby Way.  The caller indicated he had killed 3 of his family members.  West Valley Patrol Units responded to conduct an investigation.

The suspect refused to leave the home and LAPD SWAT was called to the scene.

Swat_014 Around 12:30 this morning, SWAT made entry into the home and an exchange of gunfire between the officers and the suspect occurred.  Two veteran SWAT officers were shot, removed from the home and rushed to Northridge Medical Center.  The incident at the home in West Valley is still ongoing, and for that reason there will be no more tactical information released at this time.

Despite the efforts of the Los Angeles Fire Department and hospital personnel, one of the officers passed away just after one'clock this morning.  The other officer was seriously wounded but will survive.  The names of the officers will not beSwat_016 released until all of their family members have been notified. 

The members of the Los Angeles Police Department are deeply saddened this morning having lost a member of their family.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of these two brave officers.  Both have served this city for more than 25-years and have been a part of SWAT for 20 of those years.

Swat_018 The concept of SWAT originated in the late 1960s, and became fully operational in 1971 when personnel were assigned on a full-time basis to Metropolitan Division.  Until this morning, no SWAT officer had been killed in the line of duty despite thousands of incidents this elite unit has responded to in thirty plus years.  The only other SWAT Officer to have died on duty was Officer Lou Villalobos, who died during a training accident in March 2000. 

Lieutenant Ruben De La Torre

February 06, 2025

Panhandler Fatally Shot

Los Angeles: Police say a panhandler was shot to death yesterday evening in South Los Angeles.

At around 7:30 p.m., a 30-year-old man whose identity is being withheld was panhandling in the 4800 block of West Adams Boulevard, when a gunman in a light colored vehicle drove by and shot him to death.

The vehicle, which police only described as light color, fled the scene.

There is no suspect description and investigators are unclear what prompted the shooting.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Operations South-Bureau Gang Detectives Jim Yoshida or Vince Carreon at 213-485-1383. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (877-529-3855).

At-Risk, Elderly Woman, Missing

UPDATE:
February 6, 2008, Vivien Bond has been located in good condition and reunited with her family

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police and family members of 66-year-old, Vivien Ellen Bond, are requesting the public’s help in finding Bond who has been missing since February 4th.

Bond suffers from Dementia and was last seen Monday evening at the New Image Shelter, in the 3800 block of Broadway Avenue, at around 11:30 p.m.

Bond is White, with blond hair, green eyes, 5’4”, and weighs approximately 125 lbs. She was wearing pink pajamas with hearts and flowers and a leopard-print hooded jacket. She speaks with an English accent and sometimes goes by the nickname of “Gabby.”

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Bond, please contact LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit, Detective Adauto at 213-485-5381. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).

February 05, 2025

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics February 2, 2025

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2008*            2007*         % Chg

Homicide                             36                  30               20.0%
Rape                                    63                 64                -1.6%
Robbery                             1144               1278            -10.5%
Agg Assaults **                    977                1074             -9.0%
Total Violent Crimes          2220             2446             -9.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               1640           1858            -11.7%
Auto Theft                          1964            2252            -12.8%
BTFV                                   2650            3152           -15.9%
Personal/Other Theft           2050            2482           -17.4%
Total Property Crimes        8304          9744           -14.8%
Total Part I Crimes           10,524       12,190
          -13.7%

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

Attempted Kidnapping Suspect Sought

UPDATE
CORRECTION:  The suspect told the school teacher in English that he was the father of the child.

Los Angeles:
A man posing as the child’s father tries to pick up a child from school.

On Thursday, January 17, 2008, at around 2:05 p.m., a male suspect went to Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood, and while claiming to be the father of a 5-year old male student, attempted to pick up the child from class. The suspect spoke to the child in Armenian and told him that he was a friend of his father’s. He then told the teacher the same thing in English. The teacher told the man to wait because the child was still doing schoolwork. He waited for a short while, but left when the child’s grandmother arrived.

The family had not sent anyone to pick up the child and did not recognize the person depicted in the composite sketch developed by speaking with the school staff members.

The suspect is described as a male Armenian approximately 35-40 years of age, about six-feet tall with husky build. He has brown eyes and short black hair with gray in the temples, thinning in the back. He was seen driving a black unknown model Mercedes Benz.

Anyone with information is asked to call North Hollywood Detectives at 818-623-4075. During off-hours and weekends, please call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (877-529-3855).

February 04, 2025

Murder/Suicide of Married Couple in their Sixties

Los Angeles:   Wilshire Area Homicide detectives are investigating the murder/suicide of a married couple in their sixties.

On Saturday, February 2, 2008, at around 11:25 a.m., Wilshire Area patrol officers responded to a “shots fired” radio call in the 200 block of South Detroit Street. Once inside the residence, the officers discovered a male and a female, both in their sixties, with fatal gunshot wounds. The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the couple’s home and pronounced them dead.

Homicide detectives investigating the incident located the weapon used inside the home, but have not yet determined the motive. In addition, the names of the decedents and their adult children are being withheld pending notification of extended family. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Wilshire Homicide Detectives Shafia or Arellano at 213-473-0446. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL
(877-529-3855).

28 Year-old Man Drives into a Tree After Being Shot

Los Angeles: On Saturday, February 2, 2008, at around 7:15 p.m., Wilshire Area patrol officers responded to a “shots fired” radio call in the 1200 block of South Gramercy Place. 

When they arrived, they saw a car that had collided with a tree and a male Hispanic, behind the steering wheel suffering from a gunshot wound.  The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded and immediately transported the victim to a local hospital.   
On Sunday morning, February 3, 2008, the victim, Fernando Trujillo, a resident of Los Angeles, died as a result of his injuries.

The motive for this crime has not yet been determined and the suspect/s are still at large.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Wilshire Homicide Detectives Shafia or Arellano at 213-473-0446.  After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (877-529-3855).

Vehicle Hits and Kills a Man

UPDATE:
Suspect fled the location without identifying himself or rendering aid.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a hit and run suspect who killed a pedestrian in North Hollywood.

On February 2, 2008, at around 6:00 p.m., a male white, in his fifties wearing dark clothing, was crossing the street on Vineland Avenue. A vehicle traveling eastbound on Calvert Street tried to make a right turn onto Vineland Avenue and struck the man.

The victim died at scene as a result of his injuries. His identification will be released by the Coroner’s office after notification of the next of kin.

The driver did stop to identify and render aid as required by law.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Schiltz at Valley Traffic Division, at 818-374-1930. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (877-529-3855).

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  • Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them. We encourage you to express your opinions about current events through respectful and insightful discussion. The Department reserves the right to refuse to post those comments that contain inappropriate language and/or material. Additionally, hyper-links or E-mail addresses will not be posted. To report or help us solve a crime go to lapdonline.org. To commend an officer or report police officer misconduct - click here.

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February 2008

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