LAPD Blog

Double Murder of Two Sisters

Los Angeles: The victim and her two daughters were stabbed in their residence yesterday morning.

On September 2, 2009, at around 11:40 a.m., a Foothill patrol unit was dispatched to a radio call in the 7800 block of Irvine Avenue where officers discovered two minors and an adult that were victims of a stabbing.  The minor victims did not survive the attack and were pronounced at scene.  The adult victim was transported to a local hospital where she underwent surgery and is in serious condition. 

Both minors were sisters ages 12 and 17 and daughters of the surviving victim.  Their 14 year old sibling was not at the crime scene and was accounted for later by the investigators.  The motive for the assault is not known, and the suspect has not yet been identified.  The surviving victim is a person of interest and her recovery is being monitored.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Foothill Homicide Detectives Joshua Byers and Mario Santana at 818-834-3115.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

ONLINE SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE FOR NEW CHIEF OF POLICE QUALITIES

Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Personnel Department invites the public to take an online survey designed to obtain the most desired qualities to be considered in the Chief of Police selection process.  To have your voice be heard, log on to:

www.lacity.org/per

The survey may be taken by clicking on “LAPD Chief of Police Qualities Survey/Your Opinion Counts.” The survey will be available until September 17, 2009. At that time, the Personnel Department will compile the results of the survey and present them to the Police Commission.

The Police Commission is also holding five community meetings throughout the City to hear what the people of Los Angeles would like to see in their next Chief of Police.  The remaining meetings are as follows:

September 3, 2009      Department of Water and Power,
6:00 pm                       Community Auditorium               
                                   4030 Crenshaw Boulevard
                                   Los Angeles, California 90008

September 9, 20009    Felicia Mahood Senior Center
6:30 pm                      11338 Santa Monica Boulevard
                                   Los Angeles, California 90025

September 10, 20009  One Generation
6:30 pm                      18255 Victory Boulevard
                                   Reseda, California 91335

September 17, 2009    Kedren Center
6:30 pm                       710 East 111th Place
                                   Los Angeles, California 90059

The input from both the online survey and the community meetings will be used during the selection process of a new Chief of Police.

Police Commission Holds First Of Five Meetings Throughout The City To Obtain Public Input For Next Chief Of Police

Los Angeles – In order to hear and understand what the people of Los Angeles would like to see in their next Chief of Police, the Los Angeles Police Commission will be holding community meetings throughout the City. The meetings are as follows:

September 2, 2009    6:30 pm

Friendship Auditorium 
3201 Riverside Drive
Los Angeles, California 90027

September 3, 2024    6:00 pm

Department of Water and Power 
Community Auditorium
4030 Crenshaw Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90008

September 9, 2024    6:30 pm

Felicia Mahood Senior Center
11338 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90025

September 10, 2024    6:30 pm

One Generation
18255 Victory Boulevard                                       
Reseda, California 91335

September 17, 2024    6:30 pm

Kedren Center
710 East 111th Place
Los Angeles, California 90059

“Public input is critical in this process,” stated Police Commission President John Mack.  “The next Chief of Police will serve all of the diverse communities of Los Angeles, and it is extremely important that we hear from those communities and know what is important to them.”

The New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Names Chief William J. Bratton as Their Man of the Year

New York City:  Chief William J. Bratton named Man of the Year by the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) for his internationally recognized contributions to the law enforcement profession.

New York City PBA President Patrick J. Lynch announced today that Chief Bratton had been chosen as the 2009 PBA “Man of the Year.”  President Lynch said, “Bill Bratton is a progressive and inclusive police manager who is recognized around the world as a true leader in professional policing.  He has reduced crime and improved safety in America’s largest cities by empowering the police officers under his command to do their jobs.  We honor him today for those accomplishments and for his willingness to testify on behalf of 23,000 New York City police officers during two very difficult and contentious pay disputes.  We believe that his sworn testimony during those binding arbitration hearings played a major role in their successful outcomes for our members.  We are proud and honored to name William J. Bratton as our 2009 Man of the Year.”

Chief Bratton will accept the Man of the Year award and deliver the keynote address today at a luncheon for the 115th Annual Convention of the PBA in New York City.  Chief Bratton said, “It is a profound honor to receive this award from the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.  It is because of the collective effort of professional police officers that any one chief can be man of the year.  I am also very proud to be among such an esteemed group of recipients.”   

Previous recipients of PBA Man of the Year Award include New York Governor Mario Cuomo, United States Senators Alphonse D’Amato and Charles Schumer, New York Daily News columnist Stanley Crouch and New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels among many other notables.

LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Detectives Make Two Major Arrests Murders Trigger Crime Spree, with One Victim Only 13 Years Old

Los Angeles:   At a news conference this morning, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 77th Division Criminal Gang Homicide Group detectives announced the arrest of two suspects for the recent murders of 13-year-old Daquan Allen and 22-year-old Ronnie Knighten.  

On August 16, 2009, at about 12:20 p.m., 13-year-old Daquan Allen was walking southbound on Broadway from 88th Place with a friend when a lone male suspect approached and verbally confronted him.  The suspect then produced a handgun and shot Allen in the upper torso.  Allen collapsed to the ground, mortally wounded, and the suspect returned to a waiting vehicle and left the area.  Allen was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics where he died.  The circumstances surrounding the murder led investigators to believe the shooting was gang related.

This incident sparked a series of shootings in LAPD’s Southeast and 77th Street Areas, leaving two more victims dead and at least three others wounded.  As a result of these and other South Los Angeles incidents in July and August this summer, Chief Bratton formed a multi-agency task force to coordinate investigative efforts in the case.
Detectives worked tirelessly through an exhaustive investigation to identify and arrest the suspect involved in this murder.  Cooperation and assistance from various Department entities, including a leading surveillance team, as well as other law enforcement partners, was critical to the success of the investigation.

In the early afternoon of Friday, August 28, 2009, LAPD detectives arrested 21-year old Los Angeles resident Christopher Thomas for Allen’s murder.  Thomas remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at around 10:40 p.m., LAPD Southeast Area and Metropolitan Division officers assigned to the newly formed task force responded to a “shots fired” radio call at 114 West 95th Street.  At that time, officers saw a car speeding northbound through an alley blocks away from the scene and believed the occupants could be involved in the shooting.  After officers caught up to the car and detained the occupants, their investigation linked the occupants to the shooting of the three young men on 95th Street, and they were arrested. 

Later the next morning one of the victims, 22-year-old Ronnie Knighten, died of his wounds.

On Monday, August 31, 2009, the case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office where one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder were filed against 41-year-old Los Angeles resident Edward Olden.  The suspect is in custody and has been denied bail.  

Anyone with additional information regarding these cases is asked to call the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Group at 213-485-4341.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Church Going Man Shot After Dropping Off His Niece at Home

Los Angeles:  A Hawthorne man who attended a church service with his niece was shot after he drove her home and visited with family.

On Sunday, August 30, 2009, Eteuati, Puncho, a 32-year-old Samoan man was standing on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of Ronan Avenue, talking to members of his family.  At around 10:30 p.m., an unknown suspect walked northbound on Ronan Avenue from "M" Street and fired numerous rounds at the victim.  Victim Puncho was struck multiple times in the upper torso.  Puncho was transported to a local hospital where he died an hour and a half later.  The motive of this crime is still unknown and the handgun is still outstanding.

Harbor Area Detectives handling the investigation are asking for the public’s help to provide any information that may lead to the identification and the arrest of the suspect.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Harbor Area Homicide Detectives Rodriguez and Batres at (310) 726-7881.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Multiple Gun Shots Kill One

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department, (LAPD), is seeking the public's help in identifying the person responsible for the shooting death of 30-year-old Antonio Vargas.

On August 31, 2009, at 12:20 a.m., Vargas was standing with a group of people in front of a residence on the 4400 block of south Harvard Boulevard.  From an unknown location, multiple gunshots were fired toward the group. Vargas sustained multiple gunshot wounds but managed to walk a short distance before collapsing. 

Residents in the area called 911, and Vargas was transported to a local hospital where he received emergency medical treatment.  While at the hospital, Antonio Vargas failed to respond to the emergency medical treatment and died from his wounds.    

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Criminal Gang / Homicide Group 77th Homicide Squad, Detectives Refugio Garza and Kenneth White at 213-485-1383. After-hours calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics August 29, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2009**           2008**          % Chg

Homicide                             214*              252           -15.1%
Rape                                    518               558             -7.2%
Robbery                              8150             8621             -5.5%
Agg Assaults **                    7350            8123             -9.5%
Total Violent Crimes        16,232          17,554            -7.5%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                              11773            12586           -6.5%
BTFV                                  18739            19685           -4.8%
Personal/Other Theft          17848            18379           -2.9%
Auto Theft                          12114            14625         -17.2%
Total Property Crimes     60,474          65,275           -7.4%
Total Part I Crimes          76,706          82,829          -7.4%

* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.

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

Wife Killed After Argument with Her Husband

Los Angeles: A 36-year-old Los Angeles woman was gunned down during an argument with her husband and one of her children was injured.

On Friday, August 28, 2009, at around 11:50 p.m., Xiomara Lopez was involved in an argument with her husband 36-year-old Carlos Lopez in the 2900 block of Kenwood Avenue.  During the argument, Carlos Lopez armed himself with a handgun and fired multiple rounds at Xiomara who was wounded.  The victim’s three children were present during this shooting and the 11-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound.

After the shooting, the suspect drove away in a white, Toyota, Corolla. A short time later both the car and the handgun were recovered by detectives.

Los Angeles City Fire personnel responded to the scene and Xiomara was pronounced dead at scene. The boy was transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition. The other two children were not injured during the shooting.

Carlos Anibal Lopez is described as a male Hispanic, 36-year-old (DOB 07-16-73), 5 feet 4 inches tall and 124 pounds.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Criminal Gang/Homicide Group, Southwest Homicide Squad, Detective Dave Garrido at 213-485-1383.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.