LAPD Blog

City of Los Angeles Anonymous Gun Buyback

Click here for Podcast

The 3^rd Annual City of Los Angeles Anonymous Gun Buyback will be taking place on Saturday May 7, 2025 from 9am – 2pm at six area locations throughout the City.  You can view the information on the program at www.lapdonline.org.

 

Click above to hear Chief Beck discuss the program. 

19-year-old West Valley Man Is Shot to Death NR11209lpk

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Division detectives are investigating the murder of a 19-year-old man in Reseda.

Last night at 11:30 pm, West Valley officers went to the site of a shooting at Vanowen Street and Etiwanda Avenue.  Witnesses reported a black Volkswagen Jetta with several suspects drove by and fired numerous shots at the victim.

Officers found the victim shot once in the upper torso. Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the victim to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries. The suspects are described only as male Hispanics.

The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Jorge Ernam Guijarra of Tarzana. Preliminary information suggests that this shooting is gang related.

Anyone with information about this murder are asked to call West Valley Area homicide detectives  at (818) 374-7720.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts

Missing Person-Megan Lacy Wren

UPDATE:

On May 13, 2011, Ms. Megan Lacy Wren was Located and Reunited with her Family

Los Angeles:   The Los Angeles Police Department and the family of Megan Lacy Wren are asking for the public’s help in locating her.

On March 31, 2011, at around 3 p.m., 25-year-old Megan Lacy Wren, was last seen in the area of Vermont Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, in Rampart Area.

The family is very concerned about her unexplained disappearance, especially given the fact that she has a serious medical condition, and is need of medical care.  Megan Lacy Wren is listed as an “actress”, and is known to frequent a residential complex at 1010 Wilshire Boulevard.   

Megan Lacy Wren is a female white with brown hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 1 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, with a slim build, and light complexion.

Anyone with information about Megan Lacy Wren whereabouts is asked to contact Missing Persons Unit, Detective Morales at 213-996-1800. During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800) 222-8477.  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.

15-Year-Old Struck By Gunfire inside an Alley

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department Harbor Area Homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that would lead to the arrest of the suspect(s) who shot and killed 15-year-old Ery Isaac Valdez in Harbor City.

On Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at around 11:55 p.m., Ery Isaac Valdez was in the alley near 254th Street and Senator Avenue.  Unknown suspect(s) approached Valdez and fired several rounds from a firearm striking Valdez in the torso and lower extremities. Although, Valdez was shot several times he was able to run away, but fell to the ground on 256th Street and Senator Avenue, where he died from his injuries. 

Los Angeles City Fire Department Personnel responded and pronounced Valdez dead at the scene. 

There is no suspect description and the motive for the shooting is unknown.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Harbor Area Homicide Detectives S. Rodriguez at 310-726-7887 or 310-726-7880.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.

Man Arrested in Skidrow Bludgeoning Death NR11200pv

Los Angeles:  LAPD detectives arrested 52-year-old Marvin Harkins for the bludgeoning death of Raymond Sweet on April 15, 2011.

Sweet’s body was discovered in his apartment at the Volunteers of America center on Wall Street in Downtown LA.  The 47-year-old victim's head had been crushed by a hammer, left behind at the scene.

Detectives followed several leads, including traveling to Kansas to interview Sweet’s ex-wife.

But ultimately the evidence pointed to Marvin Harkins, a local transient, as the probable suspect.  He had been the last known person to visit Sweet about three days before the body was discovered, which coincided with the approximate time of death.

Harkins was then questioned after officers picked him up on a misdemeanor warrant May 3rd.

“After interviewing Harkins, the detectives were convinced he was the man responsible for killing Mr. Sweet,” said Lt. Paul Vernon.  “The murder was apparently motivated by a dispute between the men.”

Detectives were able to confirm from evidence and statements that sometime after April 12, Harkins had been together with Sweet in his room. Harkins became upset with Sweet, and then left the room, only to return later with a hammer.

Harkins was booked for Murder and is being held without bail at the LAPD Metropolitan Jail.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Brian Putnam, Central Homicide Unit, at 213-972-1249.  Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

 

Muslim Community and Local Law Enforcement Hold News Conference to Discuss the Death of Osama Bin Laden

Los Angeles: On May 3, 2011, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) along with local law enforcement and elected officials held a news conference to discuss the death of Osama Bin Laden. Present at the conference were LAPD Deputy Chief Mike Downing Commanding Officer of Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, FBI Special Agent in Charge Steve Gomez, Sheriff Lee Baca, City Coucil President Eric Garcetti, Salam Al- Marayati President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and other leaders of the Muslim community.

Deputy Chief Downing expressed his gratitude and thanked the Muslim Community, acknowledging  “Our real counter terrorism strengh comes from our partnership with the Muslim Communities and especially the Muslim Public Affairs Council.” Chief Downing stated the threat of terror is not going to be over from violent extremist, and the community should continue to be viligant.

Salam Al-Marayati stated, “We hope this is a turning point away from the dark period of the last decade, in which Bin Laden symbolized the evil face of global terrorism. His acts of senseless terror have been met with moral outrage by Muslims worldwide at every turn during the past decade.”

Founded in 1988,  MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institution. MPAC’s vision is to establish a vibrant American Muslim community that will enrich American society through promoting Islamic values.

Click here for Podcast of Chief Downing

LAPD Honors Their Fallen Officers

Click here for Memorial Ceremony Podcast 

Click here for Officer Cullins Father Podcast

On a warm spring afternoon, the LAPD hosted its annual Memorial Ceremony to honor LAPD officers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while serving the people of this great city, state, and nation.  In attendance were LAPD Command Staff, LAPD Department Personnel, Elected Officials, and family members of fallen LAPD police officers.

The solemn ceremony, held in the LAPD Administration Building Plaza, began with the symbolic sounds of bagpipes and drums played by the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society playing Amazing Grace, placement of the memorial wreath and a riderless horse.

The audience was led in the pledge of allegiance by the two brothers of fallen Officer Joshua Cullins. Special tribute was paid to Officers Cullins and R.J. Cottle who were killed during active military service in Afghanistan in 2010.

The Department also honored 13 LAPD police officers who were killed in the line of duty from 1911 to 1933.  Restored portraits and personal stories of the 13 officers are currently on display in the lobby of the Police Administration Building through the month of the month.

The program also featured the traditional “roll call” of fallen heroes, a 21-rifle volley, and a “missing man” formation helicopter fly-over.  The memorial concluded with family members who placed a long-stem rose on their loved one’s name plate in the brass Memorial Wall.

This remembrance is held in May each year do coincide with other police memorial services held around the country.  In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day.  The calendar week in which May 15th falls determines National Police Week.  This year National Police Week begins Sunday, May 15th through Saturday, May 21st.

 

Please click on the link to listen to LAPD Chief Charlie Beck speaking at the ceremony to the family members gathered to remember their fallen loved ones.

Please click on the link to listen to the father of Officer Joshua Cullins speaking to the media at a news conference held before the start of the memorial ceremony.

 

 

Notes from the May 3, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

 

• Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger informed the Board the Department’s awareness was high after the recent announcement on Osama Bin Laden.  He said the May Day events coupled with the Laker and Dodger games called for intelligent and strategic deployment and added the Department was able to leverage personnel without creating overtime.  He finished by saying the Department will continue to remain vigilant in the fight against terrorism.

 

• The Department’s report, dated April 22, 2011, relative to DNA quarterly report – 1^st quarter 2011, as given by Deputy Chief David Doan, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.  Chief Doan said as of April 24 the DNA backlog which existed had been completed.  He said the only backlog that existed was from the month of April 2011 and said he expects to be completely caught up by July 1.  

 

• The Department’s report, dated April 20, 2011, relative to DNA monthly report for March 2011, was approved and transmitted to the City Council.

 

• The Department’s report, dated April 22, 2011, relative to 2010 K-9 Platoon annual summary report, as given by Captain Art Miller, was accepted.  Captain Miller informed the Board in 2010 the Unit lost a total of 12,509 hours that converts to 1,250 work days due to mandatory time off.  He recommended to increase the Unit by one sergeant and four officers.

 

• The Department’s report, dated April 22, 2011, relative to destruction of obsolete duplicate records, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

Devonshire Area Use of Force

Los Angeles: On May 3, 2011, at around 4 a.m., officers from LAPD Metropolitan Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) were conducting a tactical operation at 17200 block of Devonshire Street.  During the operation, a white male who was not associated with the incident, breeched the outer perimeter security and approached officers who were engaged in the operation.  The man appeared to clench an unknown object in his hand.  Officers ordered the man to stop, but he refused to comply with their commands.  As the man continued walking, one of the officers armed himself with a beanbag shotgun and shot the suspect, striking him multiple times.  One of the rounds appeared to strike the suspect in his jaw area.  Officers then took the suspect into custody and identified him as 34-year-old  Gilbert Bouziane of Granada Hills.

A Los Angeles City Fire Department rescue ambulance responded and transported Bouziane to a nearby hospital where he was treated for a fracture and laceration to his left jaw area. He was arrested for resisting police officers in discharge of their duties (148 P.C.) and absentee booked at the hospital.   LAPD Force Investigation Division detectives responded and are conducting an investigation into the incident.  They are also investigating the charge against the suspect.

The Department authorized the use of a “less lethal impact weapon,” referred to as a beanbag shotgun, in 2002. This tool uses a "sock" round that is a small fabric bag filled with small lead pellets known as “shot” and deployed from a special shotgun.

This tool is authorized to help control or temporarily incapacitate an aggressive individual who may be fighting or threatening the public or officers.   

An officer attempts to aim the sock round at the belt line or navel area of an individual to minimize injuries to vital organs while attempting to impact the suspect. This tool works similarly to the side handle baton that officers carry, only it provides an officer the ability to use it from a distance.

The LAPD uses the less lethal beanbag shotgun numerous times each year to de escalate volatile incidents resulting in minimal injury, typically a bruise. However, it is very difficult to always anticipate the movement of the suspect during unfolding events, and occasionally a serious injury may result.

7-Year-Old Child Killed in Hit-and-Run Collision

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department LAPD South Traffic detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a driver who fatally struck a child as she crossed a street in South Los Angeles.

On Tuesday May 3, 2011, around 9:20 p.m., LAPD South Traffic Division officers received a call of a hit-and-run collision near 49th Place and Hoover Avenue.  When the officers arrived, they saw a young girl on the ground, unresponsive and suffering from severe injuries.  Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics rushed the victim to a local hospital where she died.  

Detectives’ investigation revealed the 7-year-old South Los Angeles girl was crossing the street westbound on 49th Place east of Hoover Avenue when she was struck by a black, older-model SUV with dark windows traveling west on 49th Place. The driver left the scene continuing westbound on 49th Place, failing to render aid.  The car may have damage to the right front headlight.  There is no description of the driver at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Los Angeles Police Department South Traffic Division Detective Jimmy Render at 323-290-6063.   During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.