LAPD Attempts Traffic Stop on White SUV
A driver was doing donuts in an intersection outside a twenty-four-hour casino when an LAPD officer tried to stop him. A bystander was already filming. The officer was unhurt; the driver was hospitalized in stable condition.
Dashcam Video From The Janet Genao Crash:
In a tragic incident on Tuesday morning, a speeding pickup truck driven by Javier Caldera, 25, from Auburn, Washington, caused a devastating multi-vehicle collision on the 15 Freeway, resulting in the death of Janet Genao, a resident of Murrieta. The crash, which involved six vehicles, also sent another pickup careening off the highway and crashing into the side of the Temecula City Hall parking structure.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Caldera was taken into custody on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. He emerged from the crash unscathed.
The charges against Caldera include murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run resulting in property damage, driving under the influence, and operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked license.
Caldera was taken to the Southwest Detention Center, where his bail was set at $1 million. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday morning.
The southbound lanes of the freeway at Rancho California Road, as well as the on-ramp, were closed for four hours following the 7:25 a.m. crash due to debris from the wreckage. The incident caused significant traffic congestion throughout the surrounding area.
A dashcam video captured the moment of impact, showing the speeding truck rear-ending the first car in the chain, resulting in a dramatic collision that resembled an explosion. A voice can be heard from inside the car with the dashcam, urging someone to call 911.
The Riverside County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Janet Genao, a 44-year-old woman from Murrieta who was driving a Nissan Altima that was initially struck by Caldera's truck.
In the ensuing collisions, a 38-year-old man from Wildomar driving a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 pickup was ejected from the freeway and collided with the Temecula City Hall parking building. He was transported to a hospital with severe injuries.
Two other individuals sustained minor injuries: a 35-year-old man from Brandon, Mississippi, who was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, and a 55-year-old man from Irvine in a 2017 Tesla Model S. A 50-year-old man from El Cajon, who was driving a 2017 Toyota Camry, escaped the incident unharmed.
Images taken from the Janet Genao crash:
Images of the suspect Javier Caldera:
Source: Woman Killed in 6-vehicle Chain-reaction Crash by Dui Driver
Janet Genao Death: Woman Killed in DUI Crash in California
Deputy Jesse Hernandez Dashcam Video
In November, a deputy from Okaloosa County discharged his weapon at his patrol car after confusing the sound of a falling acorn with a gunshot, the sheriff's department reports.
A statement from the sheriff's department last month detailed that this event occurred on the morning of November 12.
At that time, a complaint had been lodged about a vehicle incessantly honking in a residential area, causing a disturbance, according to investigators.
Subsequently, a woman reported her boyfriend, Marquis Jackson, was withholding her car and sending threatening messages, as per the investigative document.
Responding to these incidents, four deputies arrived on scene and learned that Jackson had been allowed to use the woman's car but was now refusing to return it, the deputies reported.
The victim shared with the deputies, “Whenever we have a disagreement, regardless of who is at fault, he resorts to physical threats or violence. It escalates quickly,” according to the report.
The report also notes that Jackson appeared on the scene but was kept at a distance from the victim by the deputies. Despite his lack of cooperation verbally, he claimed he had left the car at the victim’s mother’s residence, which was proven untrue by the investigators.
Jackson was subsequently detained and placed in a patrol car.
It was also discovered that Jackson possessed a firearm and a suppressor, and the vehicle he had taken was located a few miles away from the victim’s residence.
At this point, Deputy Jesse Hernandez, intending to conduct a thorough search, approached the patrol car wearing “medical style gloves,” as stated in the report.
However, an acorn dropping onto the car startled Hernandez, causing him to mistakenly yell “Shots fired!” multiple times and open fire on the patrol vehicle, believing it to be under attack, as captured on body-worn camera footage.
Following the gunfire, Hernandez, after falling once more, voiced that he was injured, though it was later clarified that there was no actual gunfire nor injuries from such.
During an interview days later, Hernandez recounted feeling an impact that led him to believe he had been shot, attributing it to possibly being hit by a suppressed gunshot, a misconception later debunked by investigators who identified the sound as merely an acorn hitting the car.
Upon reviewing body-cam footage with Hernandez, the misunderstanding was clarified when the investigator pointed out the acorn’s role in the incident.
Another deputy, responding to Hernandez's shouts, also fired at the vehicle, believing Hernandez had been attacked.
Investigative findings revealed no evidence of Hernandez being struck or any gunfire from Jackson within the car, concluding Hernandez's reaction as disproportionate. Nevertheless, the actions of the other deputy were deemed justified under the circumstances.
Hernandez resigned amid the investigation, as disclosed by the sheriff's office on Monday.
Sheriff Eric Aden acknowledged the distress caused by the incident, emphasizing its incorporation into training to prevent future occurrences. He expressed relief that Jackson was unharmed and believed Hernandez's reaction stemmed from a genuine fear for his safety, though it was determined to be an overreaction without malice.
Acorn Incident Leads to Deputy's Resignation
Bodycam Video of the Rafe Stowers Shooting
In the early hours of September 9, 2020, a tense situation unfolded at the Extended Stay Hotel in Union City, California, culminating in an officer-involved shooting that has since drawn significant attention. The central figure in this incident was Rafe Stowers, a 33-year-old male with a transient background, whose actions on that day led to a critical confrontation with the Union City Police Department.
Stowers, who had a substantial criminal record with at least 45 prior arrests, including various theft and drug-related crimes, as well as a history of violence and resisting arrest, found himself at the heart of a potentially dangerous hostage situation. The police were alerted to Stowers' presence at the hotel under circumstances that quickly escalated beyond a mere welfare check or routine intervention.
The incident began to unfold when officers, responding to a call for urgent assistance, arrived at the scene. They were informed that Stowers had already inflicted harm and was potentially holding a hostage. The situation took a dramatic turn when Stowers rapidly entered a Honda vehicle parked nearby. His actions were perceived as an attempt to flee, especially given the context of a possible hostage scenario.
Officers, including Officer Cota and Officer Toscano, approached the vehicle, giving verbal commands to Stowers to stop and surrender. However, Stowers blatantly disregarded these orders, manipulating the vehicle in a manner that suggested an imminent threat to the officers. In response to what they perceived as a life-threatening situation, both officers drew their handguns.
The tension reached its peak when Stowers began to reverse the Honda, seemingly aiming it towards the officers. In a split-second decision, Officer Cota, believing that Stowers posed a deadly threat to himself and his colleagues, discharged his firearm, firing a single round at Stowers as the vehicle reversed. This action was deemed necessary to neutralize the perceived threat and protect the lives of the officers and any potential victims.
Following the shooting, the victim, initially believed to be held hostage by Stowers, was located unharmed and provided with necessary resources. The aftermath of the incident saw the Union City Police Department conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting. This investigation involved collecting extensive evidence, including witness statements and physical evidence from the scene.
The findings of the investigation were clear: Officer Cota's actions were within the scope of department policy and did not violate any criminal statutes. The Union City Police Department concluded that the officer acted appropriately under the circumstances, facing a situation where the use of lethal force was justified to prevent imminent harm.
Officer-Involved Shooting of Rafe Stowers by Union City Police Department
Bodycam Video From The Arrest of Jonathan Mitrani
On February 8, 2023, at around 5:15 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) faced a situation that would later become a subject of public scrutiny and debate. Officers from the North Hollywood Division responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an "Assault with a Deadly Weapon" on the 5600 block of Denny Avenue. The suspect, 31-year-old Jonathan Mitrani, was not just armed with a four-inch blade but also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.
As officers arrived at the scene, they immediately found Mitrani standing next to another individual on the sidewalk. Commands were issued for Mitrani to drop the knife, but he chose to ignore them. Instead, he moved toward an officer, prompting the police to deploy a TASER and a beanbag shotgun. Despite these attempts, Mitrani remained undeterred and continued to resist arrest, leading officers on a chase through the streets of North Hollywood.
In a move that would later be discussed in both law enforcement circles and among the general public, one of the officers made the decision to use his cruiser as a means of subduing Mitrani. Driving at a speed of approximately "3 to 5 miles per hour," the officer hit Mitrani, causing him to fall to the ground. But even this didn't stop him. Mitrani quickly got back up, still holding the knife, and continued to approach the officers. It was only after a physical takedown that the police were finally able to disarm and arrest him.
Mitrani was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for "excessive vomiting," likely a result of his intoxication. He was medically cleared and booked on an open charge of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. The LAPD's Force Investigation Division began its inquiry into the incident on February 15, 2023, and the case is also set to be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General.
Jonathan Mitrani is indeed a fortunate man. There were multiple instances during this encounter where the officers could have legally resorted to deadly force. The fact that they chose alternative, less-lethal methods to handle the situation speaks volumes about their restraint. The officer's decision to use his vehicle to bump Mitrani may have been unconventional, but it was a calculated move to bring a dangerous situation to a close with minimal harm.
A Calculated Risk: LAPD Officers Used a Cruiser to End a Dangerous Standoff
Bodycam Video Released by Police
On February 7, 2023, at approximately 3:35 p.m., an officer-involved shooting transpired in the Van Nuys Division of Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The incident began when uniformed officers from the Van Nuys Gang Enforcement Detail observed a male Hispanic individual, identified as Ramon Gonzalez, riding his bicycle near Tyrone Avenue and Victory Boulevard. The officers were aware that Gonzalez was wanted on a murder warrant and was also named in an Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) shooting Investigative Report.
The officers ordered Gonzalez to stop and called for backup. However, Gonzalez did not comply and continued to ride his bicycle. The officers drove alongside him, and Gonzalez made contact with the passenger side mirror of the police vehicle, causing him to stop and flee on foot. During the ensuing foot chase, a Tactical Unintentional Discharge (TUD) occurred from the police vehicle. Gonzalez then removed a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at one of the officers, which led to the officer-involved shooting. Gonzalez was struck by the officer's rounds, dropped his handgun, and was subsequently taken into custody.
Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries and was later cleared for booking. He was booked on an open charge of ADW on a Police Officer with a Firearm, in addition to his existing No Bail felony warrant for murder. Additional charges related to the ADW shooting are pending. No officers or citizens were injured during the incident. A handgun, identified as a "Ghost Gun," was recovered at the scene with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine.
The LAPD's specialized Force Investigation Division is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD's policies and procedures.
Van Nuys Shooting: LAPD Officer Engages with Armed Suspect
Bodycam Footage Released by LAPD
The Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) Force Investigation Division is actively investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) that took place in the Newton Division on January 3, 2023. The incident occurred around 5:25 p.m. at the 1100 block of E. 28th St in Los Angeles.
The incident began when LAPD Newton Patrol Division officers responded to a radio call reporting a male suspect, later identified as Oscar Sanchez, who had thrown an unknown metal object at a passing vehicle. The driver of the vehicle pulled over and was subsequently threatened by Sanchez with a knife.
Upon arrival, officers were directed by the victim to the rear of a nearby vacant or abandoned residence, where Sanchez was last seen. Officers located Sanchez on the second-story landing of the residence, holding what appeared to be a metal pipe.
Officers spent several minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation, ordering Sanchez to walk down the staircase. Sanchez refused to comply and retreated into the residence, closing the door behind him. An arrest team was then formed by the officers, who ascended to the top of the landing and pushed open the rear door.
Moments after entering, officers were confronted by Sanchez, who was holding a two-foot-long metal object with a three-inch spike protruding from one end. An Officer-Involved Shooting occurred at this point, along with the simultaneous deployment of a less-lethal munition. Sanchez was struck by gunfire and was transported by rescue ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 7:55 p.m.
No officers, victims, or bystanders were injured during the incident. The metal object held by Sanchez at the time of the shooting was recovered at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the object was a stem from a motorized scooter with a sharpened implement attached to one end. A utility-type knife was also recovered at the scene.
LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division responded to the scene to interview witnesses and supervise the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to determine the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD’s policies and procedures.
Representatives from the California Department of Justice also responded to evaluate the circumstances but determined that the incident did not meet their criteria for further investigation.
Additional Images
Suspect Pronounced Deceased Following LAPD Officer-Involved Shooting
Bodycam Footage Released by LAPD (Part 1)
On January 2, 2023, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was involved in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) in the Rampart Division. The incident occurred during the investigation of a "Violation of Restraining Order" and resulted in the death of the suspect, 45-year-old Takar Smith. This article aims to provide an accurate account of the events that transpired, based on the information released by LAPD's Force Investigation Division.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., officers from the LAPD Rampart Patrol Division responded to a radio call concerning a violation of a restraining order. The incident took place at an apartment building located in the 200 block of South Witmer Street. Upon arrival, the officers met with the victim, who presented a valid restraining order and informed them that the suspect, later identified as Takar Smith, was inside one of the apartment units.
After confirming the restraining order, the officers called for additional units and a supervisor to assist in the situation. A tactical plan was formulated to approach the apartment and investigate the violation. The officers then proceeded to the apartment unit where the suspect was located.
Upon reaching the front door of the apartment, the officers initiated a dialogue with Smith, urging him to exit the apartment and surrender peacefully. Smith, however, became increasingly agitated and refused to comply. In response, the officers employed de-escalation tactics for an extended period, attempting to defuse the situation.
Despite the officers' efforts, Smith went to the kitchen and armed himself with a large, approximately 10-inch butcher-style knife. The officers then deployed two Tasers and pepper spray in an attempt to subdue him. Although these less-lethal options initially caused Smith to drop the knife, he quickly picked it up again, raised it above his head, and advanced. At this point, an Officer-Involved Shooting occurred, resulting in Smith being struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at the scene.
No officers, victims, or bystanders were injured during the incident. A large knife was recovered at the scene and has been booked as evidence. LAPD’s specialized Force Investigation Division arrived at the scene to conduct interviews with witnesses and supervise the collection of evidence by the Forensic Science Division. The complete investigation will be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Board of Police Commissioners, and the Office of the Inspector General to assess the thoroughness and accuracy of the investigation and to determine whether the use of deadly force complied with LAPD's policies and procedures.
Bodycam Footage Released by LAPD (Part 2)
Photos of Takar Smith
Bodycam Video From The Takar Smith Shooting by LAPD
Bodycam Video Released by Police
A domestic dispute at a local gas station escalated into a police intervention that ended in tragedy. On Friday, May 12, at approximately 1:30 AM, the Jonesboro Police Department received a call regarding a domestic dispute at the Kum & Go gas station located in the 2000 block of Red Wolf Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers found 60-year-old Timmothy Wade Williams in his white pickup truck in the parking lot. A visibly distraught woman was also present at the scene. The woman informed the officers that Williams had assaulted her multiple times in the face when she tried to wake him up.
Williams was uncooperative and refused to exit his vehicle, making it difficult for officers to communicate with him. According to the incident report by Officer Lance McGinnis, Williams was forcibly taken to the ground to be placed in custody. Despite this, Williams continued to resist arrest.
Officers warned Williams that he would be tased if he continued to resist. Williams ignored the warnings, leading to him being tased three times before he was eventually handcuffed. EMS was called to the scene to evaluate Williams, who had sustained facial injuries during the arrest.
Williams was initially taken to the Craighead County Detention Center but was later transferred to St. Bernard’s Medical Center for treatment. He was booked into the detention center around 2:10 AM on charges of Resisting Arrest, Public Intoxication, Obstruction of Governmental Justice, Disorderly Conduct, and Third-Degree Battery.
On Wednesday, May 17, Williams suffered a medical emergency while in detention and was transported back to St. Bernard’s hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The Craighead County Sheriff's Office has opened an investigation into his death.
