Law Enforcement

Man Shot by LAPD After Pursuit That Ended in El Monte Is Charged, Had Replica Gun: DA
A 34-year-old Los Angeles man has been charged in connection with a two-hour pursuit that ended with LAPD officers opening fire on him in El Monte last month. Raul Martinez was due to be arraigned in Compton Thursday on a variety of charges, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday. The incident began when police were called to a South Los Angeles home late June 18 for a report of domestic violence. Martinez had attacked his wife, the DA's office stated.
KTLA 5

As Family Mourns, Detectives Say LAPD Has No Clues in Killing of Hollywood Woman
While the father of a 30-year-old woman fatally shot near her Hollywood apartment spoke about his loss on Wednesday, an LAPD detective said investigators have no leads and no tips in the case. Carrie Jean Melvin died after a “random act of violence” about 10:15 p.m. Sunday night, Los Angeles Police Department Detective John Skaggs said early Monday.
KTLA 5

Rise in crime ‘unacceptable' for L.A., Mayor Eric Garcetti says
While homicides are down, total violent crimes in Los Angeles are up about 21 percent over last year, with aggravated assaults up 26 percent, rapes increasing by 8 percent and robbery up 17 percent, according to midyear data released Wednesday. There was also a 12 percent increase in overall crime during the first six months of the year over last year — the first time in more than a decade that there was an uptick, city officials said.
Los Angeles Daily News

'Narcotics Operation Mishap' Caused Koreatown Apartment Explosion
A person was detained for questioning Wednesday following an explosion caused by a possible drug lab mishap in a Koreatown apartment complex that forced residents to evacuate for several hours, officials said. Firefighters were called to the 300 block of Ardmore Avenue after reports of an explosion before 9 a.m., according to the LA Fire Department.
NBC Los Angeles

Police Seek Man Suspected In Fatal South LA Shooting
Police Thursday searched for a shooting suspect who fatally shot a 50-year-old man during an argument on a South Los Angeles street. Just before 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, officers were sent to the area of Broadway and West Century Boulevard for reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
CBS News

Baltimore mayor fires police commissioner
The Baltimore mayor fired the troubled city's police commissioner Wednesday, saying that a recent spike in homicides weeks after an unarmed black man died of injuries in police custody required a change in leadership. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake thanked Police Commissioner Anthony Batts for his service — and praised the job he had done — but said growing criticism of his leadership had become a "distraction" that was preventing the city from moving ahead.
Fox News

City Government

Ridley-Thomas says he has 'no intention' of challenging Garcetti in 2017
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said this week that he has no intention of challenging Mayor Eric Garcetti as he seeks reelection in 2017. Asked about his mayoral ambitions on the KCRW radio show "Which Way L.A.?," Ridley-Thomas said he will seek to retain his seat in 2016, when he will have the opportunity to run for a third four-year term.
Los Angeles Times