UPDATED: Alhambra woman killed in crash on 10 Freeway in El Monte

EL MONTE — A 50-year-old Alhambra woman died after being thrown from her pickup truck in a crash on the 10 Freeway early Sunday, authorities said.
Joann Palomares died at the scene of the 6:45 a.m. crash on the westbound 10 Freeway, just east of Durfee Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said.
The fatal collision involved a pickup truck and a sedan, California Highway Patrol Officer Ed Jacobs said.
The Alhambra woman was driving a 1998 Ford F-150 when, for reasons that remained under investigation, it crashed into the rear of a 2007 Mazda 6, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
“The pickup truck hit the center divider wall, overturned and ejected the driver,” Jacobs said. Palomares was pronounced dead at the scene.
She was not wearing a seatbelt, CHP officials said.
The other driver, a 38-year-old Rancho Cucamonga woman, was not hurt in the crash, officials said.
All but the right hand lane of the westbound freeway were shut down for about two hours as officials investigated the scene, Jacobs said.
All lanes were cleared at 8:55 a.m., according to CHP logs.
Officers from the CHP’s East Los Angeles office were handling the investigation.

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First Unsolved Homicide Summit held in Monterey Park

Though it cannot undo the damage done by a murder, the arrest and conviction of a killer can bring a family some answers and a sense of justice. But the thousands of Los Angeles County families of homicide victims whose slayings remain unsolved are left to deal with unanswered questions and the knowledge that their family member’s killer is at-large.

To provide information and support to those families still waiting on justice for their slain loved ones, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials partnered with other law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and victim advocacy groups Saturday to host their first-ever Unsolved Homicide Summit at the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau in Monterey Park.

“We are here out of a sense of love for you,” Sheriff’ Lee Baca told the dozens of families assembled at the meeting. Some had cases which had been solved, but many were still waiting for the day they will learn their family member’s killer has been captured.

“How you feel matters,” he said. “How you suffer matters.”

FULL STORY…

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Man killed in Baldwin Park shooting identified

BALDWIN PARK — Authorities Saturday released the name of a 20-year-old man found shot to death in front of a bus stop.
Maurio Sotelo died at the scene of the shooting, which was reported about 12:15 a.m. Friday at Los Angeles Street and Merced Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner officials said. His city of residence was not listed.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials released no information regarding the circumstances of the shooting or any suspect description.
Sotelo was pronounced dead at the scene after being found suffering from gunshot wounds.
No further information was released.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau are assisting Baldwin Park police in the investigation, and anyone with information was asked to contact the bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by contacting L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

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Attacker sought in Alhambra stabbing

ALHAMBRA — Police are looking for a man who allegedly punched and stabbed another man on Friday.The 8:47 a.m. stabbing happened in the parking lot of the Home Depot at 500 South Marengo Ave.The suspect, 36-year-old Juan Manuel Bello Morales, is known to frequent the area looking for work, according to Alhambra Police Sgt. Jerry Johnson in a statement.On Friday, Johnson said a man parked in the lot, got out of his car and made contact with the suspect.“A few moments later, and for reasons that are still unclear, the suspect attacked the victim repeatedly punching and stabbing him. The victim collapsed in the parking lot and the suspect fled,” Johnson said.The wounded man was taken to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center where he was listed in serious but stable condition, police said.Morales’ last known residence was in Los Angeles. He was described as Latino with black hair, brown eyes, 5 feet 9 inches tall and about 190 pounds.Anyone who sees Morales or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call the Alhambra Police Department at 626-570-5151.

– Ruby Gonzales

 

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Body found beneath Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena

PASADENA — A man was found dead under the Colorado Street Bridge Friday.
Pasadena Police Lt. Vasken Gourdikian said the bystander noticed the body at about 8:30 p.m.
Police suspect it may be a suicide but the coroner will determine the cause of death.
The man hasn’t been identified.

– Ruby Gonzales

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Man killed in West Whittier deputy-involved shooting

PASADENA — A man was shot and killed Friday after he allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at a sheriff’s sergeant, authorities said.
Robert McAfee, 29, of Whittier was pronounced dead at the scene of the deputy-involved shooting, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner officials said.
The incident started at 11:42 a.m. in the 6800 block of Duchess Drive which is in the unincorporated county area.
A deputy and a sergeant from the sheriff’s Pico Rivera station were patrolling when they stopped to talk with two known gang members, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Deputy Guillermina Saldana.
As the deputy and sergeant got out of the car, she said one of the men — later identified as McAfee — ran toward a backyard.
“The sergeant followed the suspect into the backyard where he saw the suspect pointing a handgun in his direction and a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” Saldana said.
The man sustained two gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, she said.
Saldana said the suspect’s loaded handgun was recovered at the scene.
The sergeant, whose name was not released, suffered no injuries in the incident, officials said.
The second man was questioned and released, she said.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or text “TIPLA” plus the tip to 274637, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

– Ruby Gonazles and Brian Day

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Car wash planned to help family of Azusa 4-year-old killed in crash

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AZUSA — An Azusa man who rushed to help at the scene of a crash that left a 4-year-old girl dead is now helping to raise money to help the family pay for services and is planning a car wash Saturday.
Sophia Flores of Azusa died following the four-vehicle collision, which took place about 8:40 p.m. Monday, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s officials.
Her young brother and sister were also badly injured in the crash, but expected to survive, Azusa police Lt. Mike Bertelsen said.
To help the family with the cost of funeral expenses, Daniel Romero spent several hours Thursday and much of the day Friday collecting donations at the crash scene.
Additionally, a car wash is planned from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at the corner of CRASHFOLO2Gladstone Street and Azusa Avenue to raise money for the grieving family. But prior to the car wash, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Romero will be stationed to collect donations at the crash scene.
He said he was talking on the phone in his home near the crash scene when he heard the collision.
“It was pretty loud,” he said. “I threw the phone down and ran over there.”
He said when he reached the crash scene, other bystanders were already attending to two injured adults, so he focused his attention on the children in the back seat of the Lexus.
A little girl, whom he would later learn was Sophia Flores, was not breathing, he said. He began performing CPR until police arrived and took over.
“One of the girls lost consciousness and I woke her up,” he said. The injured girl kept trying to move, so Romero held her hand to keep her calm and still. The little boy was conscious.
Despite the efforts of Romero, other bystanders and first responders, Sophia Flores died at a hospital shortly after the crash, officials said.
“The last words she said were, ‘Where’s my mommy,’” Romero said.
“It still gets me,” he said. “I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep lately. I still see her face.”
But he added that he felt compelled to do what he could to help the family.
“I have a 2-year-old at home, and an 11-month old, so it kind of hits home,” he said.
Two women also inside the Lexus containing the children were hospitalized with less-serious injuries, along with three other adults involved in the crash, officials said.
The car was being driven by the children’s mother, who has not left her surviving children’s bedsides at the hospital, Romero said.
The Lexus was eastbound on Gladstone Street when, for reasons that remained under investigation, it went through a red light at Citrus Avenue, becoming involved in a crash with a passenger bus, a pickup truck and another sedan, according to Lt. Paul Dennis.
The investigation was ongoing.

PHOTOS: courtesy

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Man fatally shot in front of Baldwin Park bus stop

BALDWIN PARK — A man was shot and killed early Friday in front of a bus stop, authorities said.
The name of the victim was not released Friday pending notification of his family, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. He was initially described as a white man in his 20s.
Deputies said the shooting happened at 12:16 a.m. on Los Angeles Street and Merced Avenue and that the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. However, they didn’t have details yet on what led to the shooting or who found the man.
He was found suffering form gunshot wounds in front of a bus stop, Winter said.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives, who are assisting Baldwin Park police in the investigation, couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or texting “TIPLA” plus the tip to 274637 or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

– Staff report

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Man sentenced for arson fire that destroyed sanctuary of Hacienda Heights church

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A judge sentenced man to 18 years to life in prison Friday for lighting an arson fire that destroyed the sanctuary of a Catholic Church in Hacienda Heights on April 16 of 2011.
A Pomona Superior Court jury earlier this month convicted Gregory Yusuke Shiga, 35, of Hacienda Heights of five felony counts related to the arson fire that caused about $9 million worth of damage at St. John Vianney Church, 1345 Turnbull Canyon Road.
Two priests sleeping in a rectory that also caught fire adjacent to the destroyed sanctuary narrowly escaped from the building, according to prosecutors and investigators.
“I never got the impression from Mr. Shiga that he was remorseful for his actions or their effect on a large community that cared deeply about that place,” said Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose, who prosecuted the case.
She went on to request Judge Thomas Falls hand down the maximum sentences for the charges under the law, describing Shiga as a continuing threat to the public.
Falls agreed, imposing the maximum sentence of 18 years to life in prison.
Shiga was convicted of aggravated arson, arson of a structure, arson of an inhabited structure, possession of an incendiary device and burglary. The jury also found true special allegations that multiple structures were burned, the fire was likely to cause injury and that an accelerant was used in the arson.
Shiga is eligible to receive 15 percent credit for good behavior while incarcerated for eight years of his prison sentence. However he must serve 10 years in full, without reductions for good behavior, Rose explained. She estimated Shiga will first become eligible for a parole hearing in about 16 years.
Shiga previously underwent a mental evaluation which determined he was fit to stand trial, though officials said Shiga adamantly denied suffering from any form of mental illness, according to Los Angeles Archdiocese Canonical Auditor Marty Gallagher, a former FBI agent who worked alongside church officials and law enforcement officials during the investigation.
Against the judge’s advice, Shiga fired his defense attorney and chose to represent himself just before his trial began, officials said. But Falls said Shiga had shown he was aware of what was going on and even complimented him on his courtroom demeanor and knowledge.
When asked by Judge Falls if he had a statement to make prior to receiving his sentence Friday, Shiga responded that he did.
“It’s 9:17 a.m. July 19th. That’s about it,” he said.
Shiga, who was described by investigators as highly intelligent, “is fixated with numbers,” Rose said.
Among other tattoos not visible in the courtroom, Shiga had the number seven tattooed on top of his left hand, and the number nine tattooed on top of his right hand.
The significance of the numbers was unclear, other than they appeared to be his favorites, according to an investigator.
Shiga broke into the sanctuary of St. John Vianney Church shortly after midnight on the week before Easter, Yoshino said.
He brought with him a backpack containing eight to ten rolls of toilet paper that had been soaked in flammable liquid, he said. The specific substance or substances used were not available.
He placed the fuel-soaked toilet paper rolls as “strategic” locations within the sanctuary, Yoshino said.
He opened up every other window in the sanctuary to help the fire spread faster, Rose said.
Using a sprayer similar to the type used for spraying weeds, Shiga then sprayed the ceiling and walls of the church with flammable liquid before using a tiki torch to set the structure ablaze, Rose said. The sanctuary was quickly engulfed with flames, which also spread to the occupied rectory next door where two priests were sleeping upstairs.
Following his arrest more than a year after the fire, Rose said investigators found Shiga had visited and photographed the church before the arson fire.
A break in the case came when a former school teacher of Shiga’s came forward to report a suspicious encounter with Shiga prior to the arson, Rose said.
Barbara Clark taught Shiga about 20 years ago when he attended St. Mark’s Lutheran School in Hacienda Heights, according to the prosecutor.
Her former pupil arrived at the campus about two weeks prior to the arson, where Clark was principal, Rose said. He spoke to her and asked many questions about St. John Vianney Church and the symbolism behind its statues and other items.
“It didn’t mean much to her at the time,” Rose said. But following the massive fire, Clark decided to report the encounter to authorities.
Witnesses shown photographic line-ups including Shiga then identified him as the arsonist, she said. He was arrested May 14, 2012.
Beyond a general grievance against the Catholic Church, of which Shiga was never a member, a definitive motive was not revealed through the trial, according to Sgt. Derek Yoshino of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Arson-Explosives Detail. Sheriff’s investigators, along with FBI agents, investigated the case.
“He indicated he wanted to make a statement against the Catholic Church,” Yoshino said. But the arsonist never elaborated.
“It was pretty general,” the sergeant said. “At this point, we’re left to assume what his actual motive was.”
Rose said while Shiga may have claimed to have complaints regarding the church in an attempt to justify the crimes, it was always about Shiga himself.
“I think he did it for the attention,” Rose said.
Even as he waited to be sentenced to prison, Shiga seemed to enjoy being the focus of attention. He appeared pleased to see reporters in the courtroom.
Sentencings normally are not carried out so quickly following a trial, Falls said. “The defendant requested a speedy sentencing.”
In addition to sentencing Shiga to prison, Falls ordered him to pay the church $8.9 million in restitution, though he acknowledged the convict would likely never be able to pay it.
St. John Vianney Church Rev. Msgr. Tim Nichols accepted the amount on behalf of the church.
Gallagher thanked the sheriff’s, FBI and district attorney’s office officials for their hard work in the case.
“Thank God there were no deaths,” he said. It’s a tragic event. It could have been horrendous.”

PHOTO of Gregory Shiga, 35, of Hacienda Heights during sentencing on Friday, July 19, 2013, in Pomona Superior Court. He was convicted of a massive $9 million arson that destroyed the sanctuary of St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights. (Staff photo by Walt Mancini)

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Montclair man accused of Covina shooting

Jose Gonzales, 31, Montclair
Police arrested a Montclair man late Wednesday on suspicion of shooting and wounding another man during an argument over the weekend in Covina, officials said.
Jose Valencia Gonzalez, 31, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after being arrested shortly after 7 p.m. at his home in the 9600 block of Helena Avenue, Covina police Lt. John Curley said. He was described as a member of a Pomona-area street gang.
The shooting took place about 9:45 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of East Cypress Street. A 25-year-old man who was visiting his girlfriend in the area suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh after becoming involved in an argument with Gonzalez, police officials said. The wounded man, who has no gang ties himself, was hospitalized in stable condition.
A woman who was initially arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, 32-year-old Kelly Deshannon of La Verne, was ultimately released from jail without charges pending further investigation, Curley said.
She was identified as being part of the argument, but was not suspected of being the shooter, he added.
Detectives following up on the shooting identified Gonzalez as the alleged gunman, Curley said. They set up a surveillance operation outside his home and took him into custody as he exited
“We had a search warrant prepared for his home, which we served right after he was arrested,” Curley said.
Police recovered ammunition, but no gun, from the home, he said. Officials were still looking into whether the ammunition was related to the shooting.
Though originally booked on $50,000 bail, investigators sought, and obtained, a bail enhancement in Gonzalez’s case, Curley said. He was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail pending his initial court appearance.

PHOTO of Jose Gonzalez courtesy of the Covina Police Department

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