LAPD Blog

Double Homicide Investigation Update

WHAT:    
News Conference

WHEN:    
Thursday, February 4, 2025
4:15 p.m.

WHERE:    
Police Administration Building-COMPSTAT Room
100 West 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA  90012

WHO:    
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
LAPD Captain William Hayes, Robbery Homicide Division

WHY:
News conference to discuss developments in the double homicide at Debs Park on October 28, 2015.   

CONTACT:
LAPD Media Relations Section at (213) 486-5910.

 

Dble Homicide News Conf with Chief & Mayor 2-4-16

 

Armed Suspect Threatens Metropolitan Division Officer with Handgun

**The following information is based on a preliminary, ongoing investigation which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence. The Department's understanding of the facts and circumstances of the incident may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed**

Los Angeles: Last Saturday, a man fleeing from LAPD Metropolitan Division officers drew a 9mm handgun from his waistband and began turning toward the pursuing officers with the gun in his hand. One of the officers fired his handgun but missed the suspect.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on January 30, 2016, Metropolitan Division Officers Roberto Gonzalez and his partner were patrolling the area of Melrose Avenue when they saw two men committing a crosswalk violation at Heliotrope Drive. The officers stopped their vehicle to investigate but one of the men, later identified as Anthony Martinez, attempted to flee by running down Heliotrope Drive. Officer Gonzalez ran after him while his partner quickly followed in their police vehicle.

Officer Gonzalez saw Martinez clutching his front waistband while running away and turning the corner on Clinton Street. Martinez then pulled a handgun from his waist and began turning back toward the pursuing officers with the gun in his hand. After seeing that Martinez was armed and turning toward him with the gun, Officer Gonzalez fired his handgun. The rounds, however, missed Martinez and he was uninjured. Martinez then threw the handgun over a nearby fence and was quickly taken into custody. A loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson semiautomatic handgun was found and will be forensically analyzed.

Martinez was later charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office with three felony counts: brandishing a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in public and carrying a concealed weapon.

This is the third incident in 2016 where a suspect used a loaded firearm or replica firearm to threaten an LAPD officer resulting in a use of deadly force. In 2015, there were 19 incidents involving a suspect with a firearm and 6 additional incidents where the suspect used a replica firearm or pellet gun.

LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and collecting forensic evidence. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police and the Board of Police Commissioners to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD's policies and procedures. In addition, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the incident to determine whether any of the officers' actions violated California criminal statutes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call LAPD's Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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) or send a text 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."

54-Year-Old Missing Man

February 8, 2016                                NR16035DM

 

UPDATE

Mr. Gaona was located in Mexico, in good condition, and has been in contact with his family.

 

 

February 4, 2025
TITLE CORRECTION

Missing man is 67-years-old

Los Angeles: The family of Adam Gaona and the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's help in locating him.

Adam was last seen on February 3, 2016, around 6:00 a.m. in the 1200 block of Valencia Street in the City of Los Angeles. Adam has not been seen or heard from since, and his family is extremely concerned for his welfare.

Adam Gaona is described as a 67-year-old male Hispanic with black hair and black eyes. He stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 155 pounds. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt, black sweater, blue jeans with a yellow belt and black boots.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Adam Gaona, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective L. Saiza:
(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.

27-Year-Old Missing Woman

Los Angeles: The family of Leigh Holly Ishcomer and the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's help in locating her.

Leigh was last seen on February 3, 2016, in the 700 block of Westlake Street in the City of
Los Angeles. She has not been seen or heard from since and her family is extremely concerned for her welfare. Leigh is autistic, bipolar and has the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.

Leigh is described as a 27-year-old female Black with black hair and brown eyes. She stands
5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. She was last seen wearing black and white pajamas and "flip flop" sandals with a gold strap.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Leigh Holly Ishcomer, please contact Detective L. Saiza, LAPD 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.

54-Year-Old Missing Woman

February 8, 2016                                NR16032DM 

 

UPDATE

Ms. Brooks has been located and is in good condition.

 

Los Angeles: The family of Antoinette Marie Brooks and the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's help in locating her.

Ms. Brooks was last heard from on February 3, 2025 around 6:30 a.m. in the 5000 block of Cimarron Street in the City of Los Angeles. Ms. Brooks has not been seen or heard from since, and her family is extremely concerned for her welfare

Antoinette Mary Brooks is described as a 54-year-old Black female with black hair and brown eyes. She stands 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 230 pounds. She was last wearing a blue sweatshirt and grey sweat shorts.

Antoinette Marie Brooks

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Antoinette Marie Brooks, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective A. Mercado: (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.

Third Quarter 2015, as set forth, was approved.

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Mail Theft Burglary Suspects wanted in Studio City

Studio City: The Los Angeles Police Department and North Hollywood Area Burglary detectives are asking for the public's help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest and identification of two residential burglary suspects in the Studio City area.

On December 12, 2024 at 3:13 a.m., a residential burglary was committed in 3900 block of Carpenter Avenue in Studio City. The suspects entered the apartment complex and used a key to open the mailboxes. The male and female suspects selected the envelopes from the 18 mailboxes and concealed them in a backpack which the female was holding.

Suspect-1 is described as a male White, 30-years- old, shaved head, stands 6 feet tall and weighs around 170 lbs. The suspect was wearing a black hat, dark hoodie, dark pants, and black tennis shoes.

Suspect-2 is described as a female White, with blonde hair, black frame eyeglasses, stands 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs around 120 lbs. The suspect was wearing a blue sweater, black pants, and white tennis shoes. She also has distinct tattoos on top of her hands.


Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Detective Joseph Hampton or Detective Noah Stone, North Hollywood Area Burglary Detectives at 818-754-8381 or
818-754-8377. 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.

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Missing Child Located in Southeast Division. Parents/Guardian being sought.

Today (February 3, 2025) at approximately 10:30 AM, a local resident observed a 2-year-old African-American male, walking alone in the area of 111th St and Avalon Ave in South Los Angeles. After a brief search for the child's parents this good Samaritan brought him to LAPD's Southeast Police Station.

We are asking for the public's help in locating his parents. If you have any information, you are asked to call the LAPD's Southeast Police Station at (213) 972-7828.

Grand Theft Suspect Who Posed as Catholic Priest

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Commercial Crimes Division (CCD) detectives have arrested 59-year-old Erwin Mena who impersonated a Catholic Priest to defraud parishioners.

On June 4, 2015, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles contacted the LAPD to report that their parishioners had been defrauded by Erwin Mena. Over the course of several years, Mena visited multiple Catholic Parishes throughout the Los Angeles Area and portrayed himself as a Catholic Priest. Mena officiated church ceremonies and solicited donations on behalf of the church(s), but kept the money for himself. Commercial Crimes Division personnel investigated these allegations and presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (DA). The DA's office reviewed the case and filed counts for 115 PC Falsifying a Public Document, 118 PC Perjury and multiple counts for 487 PC Grand Theft against Mena. A felony warrant was issued for Mena's arrest.

On February 2, 2016, Mena was tracked to the area of 1400 North Academy Road in the Elysian Park area of Los Angeles and taken into custody without incident. Mena was booked into the Los Angeles Metropolitan Jail.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call Detective Guevara, LAPD, CCD at 213-486-6630. 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.

NOTES February 2, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

BOPC Mtg 2-2-16

Commission President Matt Johnson opened the meeting and a quorum was established. There were no commissioner comments; so the meeting proceeded to the Consent Agenda Items, all of which (3A through 3D) were approved with no discussion.

The next item of business was the Report of the Chief of Police. Chief Charlie Beck provided some general crime statistics covering January, the first month of 2016. He was not able to provide more complete information because the data was still being finalized. He also mentioned that 2015 crime levels throughout the Los Angeles area. The Part I crime increase for Los Angeles was 12.6 percent, and the top 11 cities around Los Angeles all rose. Of the 11 cities, the one with the lowest increase was at 5.3 percent, and the city with the highest rise was at 33 percent. Chief Beck also pointed out that 50 percent of the homicides in Los Angeles since the start of 2016 were gang-related. The chief closed his report with traffic and personnel statistics. Commissioner Steve Soboroff asked Chief Beck about goals of hiring more officers in 2016, and the chief said the Department is hoping to take on about 700 new officers this year.

The meeting proceeded to the Regular Agenda Items. There were eight items, and the commissioners approved the items after public comments and two brief presentations on Items 4B and 4G. The items were approved as follows:

• Item 4A, the Department’s Report, dated January 29, 2016, relative to the Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement between the city of Los Angeles and Sierra-Cedar, Inc., for the Training, Evaluation and Management Systems known as TEAMS for the LAPD, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4B, the Department’s Report, dated January 4, 2016, relative to the Los Angeles County Fingerprint Identification System, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4C, the Department’s Report, dated January 29, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for the Foothill Area, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4D, the Department’s Report, dated January 29, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete duplicate records for the Mission Area, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4E, the Department’s Report, dated January 29, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for the Northeast Area, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4F, the Department’s Report, dated January 29, 2016, relative to the destruction of obsolete original records for the Foothill Area, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4G, the Department’s Report, dated January 27, 2016, relative to the Office of Inspector General’s Investigation of the Department’s Procurement Practices – Department Status Report, as set forth, was approved.
• Item 4H, the Department’s Report, dated February 1, 2016, relative to the Ethics Enforcement Section Quarterly Report, Third Quarter 2015, as set forth, was approved.

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48-Year-Old Missing Man

Los Angeles: The family of Armant, Jay Lamont and the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's help in locating him.

Mr. Armant was last heard from on August 28, 2015, in the 8700 block of Beverly Boulevard, in the city of Los Angeles. His family is extremely concerned that he has not been located.

Mr. Armant is described as a 48-year-old, Black male with black hair and brown eyes. He stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 135 pounds. He was last seen wearing a brown shirt and dark jeans.

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Armant, Jay Lamont, please contact Detective L. Saiza, 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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