WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, September 10, the city of West Hollywood announced on its website that it is offering free American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification training on Saturday, October 5, in the Fairfax/La Brea Room at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center, located at 8750 El Tovar Place adjacent to West Hollywood Library.

Participants can choose one of two training sessions that will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; the afternoon session will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited and is anticipated to reach capacity quickly. Enroll using West Hollywood’s “ActiveNet” online reservations system. Enrollment requires ActiveNet registration, which takes just one minute to complete. Limited parking will be available for participants at the West Hollywood Park Five-Story parking structure, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

The American Red Cross certification training will cover adult and pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED topics and participants will learn how to respond to medical emergencies. Prior to meeting in-person, participants will be enrolled in an online learning session that takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. There will be in-person section reviews and tests that will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per section for participants to receive certification. The online learning session link will be sent out 7 days prior to the in-person training session. All online coursework must be completed before the in-person training session.

Once capacity is reached, members are encouraged to join the waitlist. To join email wehoaquatics@weho.org or call (323) 848-6538. West Hollywood will host additional American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification trainings in the future.

For additional information about West Hollywood’s free American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification training, email wehoaquatics@weho.org or call (323) 848-6538. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

By Trevor

WESTWOOD—The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed on Tuesday, September 10 Shawn Laval Smith, 34, was convicted in court in the guilt phase of killing 24-year-old Brianna Kupfer while she worked at a furniture store in Hancock Park in 2022.

A jury deliberated for just over an hour in case BA502518 before finding Smith guilty of one count of murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait. The jury also found that the defendant used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife.

The trial will now move into a non-jury sanity phase, set to start October 2. A status conference is scheduled for September 24, Dept. 126 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Smith faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. The defendant is being held without bail.

On January 13, 2022, Smith entered Croft Furniture store in the 300 block of North La Brea Ave. where Kupfer was working alone. He acted as a customer before stabbing her and fleeing the scene.

The LAPD reported around 1:50 p.m., officers from the Wilshire Patrol responded to a radio call of an “Ambulance Assault with a Deadly Weapon” at a business, located at the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue. Officers met with the reporting party, a customer who entered the store and discovered the victim dead on the floor.

Detectives determined the suspect was not known to the victim and was a random individual who entered the establishment. The suspect attacked the victim with a knife and fled the scene through the back door. There is no known motive for the attack. Smith was captured on video surveillance traveling northbound in the alley to the rear of the crime scene.

At the time of the crime he was wearing a dark hoody, sunglasses, a white N-95 mask, dark skinny jeans, dark shoes and carrying a dark back pack. Based on evidence discovered by detectives, Smith was believed to be homeless. The owner of the nearby chiropractic office, Dr. Jennifer Bothelo informed CBS Los Angeles that the suspect came into her establishment asked a few questions and then left.

Kupfer was a resident of Pacific Palisades and a student studying architecture and design at UCLA. She previously attended the University of Miami before returning to California to pursue a graduate degree.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Sunday, September 8, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported they rescued a hiker in Will Rogers State Park. The incident was reported at 1:18 p.m. at 20825 Entrada Road. Firefighters located two hikers in a remote area of Will Rodgers State Park.

One hiker was experiencing heat-related illness symptoms, but declined hospital transport after being evaluated by paramedics.

LAFD Air Operations hoisted both hikers into the rescue helicopter and brought them to a nearby landing zone to get them safely back to their vehicle. They were re-evaluated one more time after the short flight. No additional details about the incident have been reported to the public.

By Trevor

STUDIO CITY—A brush fire was reported at 1 p.m. by the Los Angeles Fire Department on Sunday, September 8. The brush fire was reported at 4222 N Vineland Avenue near The Garland Hotel and the Front Yard restaurant.

Approximately one-half of an acre of brush burning between a parking lot and the Hollywood Freeway. Crews established hose lines around both flanks to apply water to the area.

Within 22 minutes, the LAFD reported that firefighters indicated that a strip of vegetation was burning behind the parking lot near the Hollywood Freeway. A contingent of 49 firefighters stopped all forward progress of the fire keeping the burn area to less than a half-acre.

Crews remained on scene to mop up the area, looking for any remaining hot spots to cool. There were no reports of any injuries. The cause of the brush fire is under investigation.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, September 6, the Santa Monica Police Department announced they are investigating a homicide that transpired.

The SMPD indicated on its Facebook page that they discovered a male victim, believed to be homeless, who was found dead from an apparent stab wound in the alley near the 1100 block of 6th Street.

At this time, no suspect is in custody, and authorities are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying and locating the individual(s) responsible. The name and age of the victim has not been disclosed to the public.

“We recognize that our community has recently been impacted by several violent crimes and understand the heightened concern these incidents cause. We want to reassure the community that the safety and well-being of our residents remain our highest priorities. Our team is working diligently to identify the suspect(s), and a strong police presence will remain in the area as the investigation continues,” the SMPD said in a statement.

“We understand the recent violent crimes have caused significant concern, and we want to reassure the community that the safety and well-being of our residents are our top priorities. Our team is working diligently to identify the suspect, and there will continue to be a strong police presence in the area as the investigation continues.”

Anyone with details on the fatal stabbing is asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8491.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Fire Department is holding a remembrance on Wednesday, September 11 in honor the attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Each year the Santa Monica Fire Department conducts a brief and solemn ceremony to commemorate National Day of Service and Remembrance. The public is invited to join in honoring the lives that were lost, the bravery of first responders, and the resilience of communities across the country.

“National Day of Service and Remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the strength we find in coming together as a community. As we remember the events of Sept. 11, let us also honor the enduring spirit of service and commitment that emerged from that day,” the SMFD indicated I a statement.

The public and neighbors of Santa Monica’s fire stations, are asked to attend at any of the three fire stations listed below, promptly at 6:45 a.m. The ceremony is approximately 20 minutes. The remembrance will take place on Wednesday, September 11. At Station 1, 1337 7th St.; Station 2, 222 Hollister Avenue and Station 3, 1302 19th St.

An artifact from the Ground Zero site resides in Fire Station 1 (1337 7th St.), just outside the Santa Monica Fire Department’s community room and is open for viewing by the public during normal business hours. For more information, visit www.santamonica.gov/events/9-11-remembrance-ceremony.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on its website that the final event of the Malibu Film Society will be held on September 24.

The public is asked to sign up for the final event in the Malibu Film Society and the city’s special summer series, “Shari & Lamb Chop,” featuring a Q&A with Malibu’s own Mallory Lewis and her mother’s puppet Lamb Chop. The Shari & Lamb Chop event will be held at Malibu City Hall, Civic Theater located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road at 7 p.m.

Long before Mister Rogers and Sesame Street, ventriloquist Lewis changed the face of children’s television with her sock puppet Lamb Chop. The beloved puppet gave voice to things women simply couldn’t say in mid-century America. The documentary by Lisa D’Apolito (“Love, Gilda”) chronicles Lewis’ decades-long, and successful struggle to overcome sexism, ageism, and her own legacy of having created such an unforgettable cultural icon.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the free pre-show reception including wine, snacks and soft drinks for all guests. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

To qualify, residents must first complete the one-time registration process, here. Once registered, you’ll be able to make a reservation for the show. Advance reservations are requested for each show, with 50 free seats available to residents on a first-come/first-served basis. Once free seats have been claimed, additional seats for Malibu residents will be available at a special discount.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Friday, September 6, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that a bear was recently sighted in Malibu neighborhoods several times. It has since been tagged & tracked with a radio collar. Black Bears live in the region, but they have very rarely been seen in the Santa Monica Mountains and are not believed to have a breeding population there, according to the National Park Service.

The public is reminded that Black Bears are a critical part of the ecosystem, together with bobcats, coyotes, hawks and other predators. Black Bears tend to be solitary and avoid humans and attacks on humans are very rare. They are omnivores, and will eat whatever is available, primarily fruits, nuts, roots, grubs and insects. They will also eat small animals and even deer, if they can catch them, as well as garbage, pet food, and dead animals.

Pet owners in Malibu are informed to take precautions to keep their pets safe. Dogs should be walked on a leash and pets and pet food should be kept indoors at night, and properly secure trash containers. The public is warned not to approach or harass bears.

If you see a bear:

– Keep a safe distance and slowly back away. Let the bear know you are there. Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving your arms and making noise by yelling, clapping your hands, using noisemakers, or whistling.
– Do not run and do not make eye contact. Let the bear leave the area on its own.
– If a bear makes contact, fight back.
– Report bear encounters in the Santa Monica Mountains by calling the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 916-445-0045 or the National Park Service at 415-464-5170, or report it to a Ranger at a Visitor Center as soon as possible.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On September 5, the Beverly Hills Police Department informed Canyon News that the National Real-Time Crime Center Association (NRTCCA) honored Lieutenant Eugene Kim of the Beverly Hills Police Department with the prestigious Real-Time Crime Center Supervisor of the Year Award. This recognition was presented at the NRTCCA Conference on August 28, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The award highlighted Lt. Kim’s outstanding leadership in advancing the Department’s Real-Time Watch Center (RTWC) and positioning BHPD as a real-time crime analysis and response leader.

According to a news release from the BHPD, Lt. Kim was pivotal in developing and integrating cutting-edge technologies that enhance public safety and investigative operations. His commitment to innovation ensured that BHPD is equipped with the most advanced tools for real-time crime monitoring, benefiting the city of Beverly Hills and neighboring agencies. Lt. Kim’s efforts extended beyond local collaborations, with extensive travel across the U.S. and internationally, including serving as a keynote speaker in Warsaw, Poland. His global outreach and technical expertise solidified his position as a thought leader in bridging technology and investigations.

“Lieutenant Kim’s dedication and vision have set new standards for integrating technology in policing, not just in Beverly Hills but across Southern California,” said Chief of Police Mark G. Stainbrook. “This award is a testament to his tireless work and our Department’s commitment to being at the forefront of public safety innovation.”

The RTWC has become a nationwide model for real-time crime centers, under Lt. Kim’s leadership. The center’s success stems from the collaborative efforts of Virtual Patrol Officers (VPOs) monitoring over 2,500 surveillance cameras around the clock, crime analysts who provide critical data to guide patrol strategies, and the innovative Drone First Responder (DFR) program. These integrated components significantly advanced BHPD’s ability to respond to crimes in progress and conduct follow-up investigations.

The BHPD was nominated for the Real-Time Crime Center of the Year and National Real-Time Crime Center Association Member of the Year awards, further solidifying the Department’s reputation as a law enforcement technology and innovation leader.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On September 5, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email that charges were filed against a suspect for an aggravated assault. The SMPD reported on August 28, at about 11:45 p.m. a good Samaritan riding southbound in the 2700 block of Barnard Way was flagged down by a distressed woman who needed help calling 911. The woman was bleeding from cuts to her face and head.

Officers were on scene within minutes. The woman reported that a male suspect in a distinctive orange shirt punched her several times in the head and face, hit her with a bottle, and tried to shove sand in her mouth. The suspect was last seen walking northbound near the 2600 block of Ocean Front Walk.

Officers found the suspect as Mario Alejandri, 31, and he was classified as a homeless individual. He was positively identified and arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. During the investigation, the handling detective recognized Alejandri as the perpetrator in a recent Assault with a Deadly Weapon that occurred the day prior at the Trader Joe’s on Broadway in Santa Monica.

At about 7:45 p.m. on August 27, Alejandri entered the store and was immediately recognized by store staff from prior shoplifting incidents. When asked to leave, the suspect became irate and hit the employee in the face.

He proceeded to throw two potted plants at the victim and on the way out, picked up a sign and was poised to throw it when the doors closed blocking him. The employee was not seriously hurt and the incident was captured on store surveillance video, allowing the beach assault detective to definitively connect Alejandri to both incidents.

Alejandri is on summary probation for Battery (242 PC). He has prior arrests for Battery, Trespass to Injure Property (602(k)PC), Assault with a Deadly Weapon (245(a)(1) PC), Petty Theft (484 PC), Resisting Arrest (148 PC), Vandalism (594 PC), Brandishing (417 PC), Possession of Methamphetamine (11377 H&S), and Contempt of Court (166 PC).

On September 3, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed three felony Assault with a Deadly Weapons charges, two counts for the incident on the beach and one for the attack at Trader Joe’s.

Anyone with details about the suspect or incident is asked to contact Detective Jenkins at Benjamin. Jenkins@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at (310) 458-8427.

By Trevor