California

SANTA MONICA—On June 26, the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) issued a new press release with details on the officer-involved shooting on June 25 that was connected to the WAYMO shooting on June 22.

The initial incident occurred on June 22, at approximately 11:38 p.m. when then unknown suspects approached a WAYMO vehicle on foot downtown and shot into the vehicle injuring two juvenile passengers.

The victims were transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

On June 25, at approximately 1:00 p.m., an SMPD observed an individual matching the description of the suspect. He was later identified as 31-year-old David John Hairston, who was reportedly from the homeless community.

When the officer attempted to approach Hairston, he ran, leading the officer on a foot chase. He then turned and fired multiple shots striking and injuring the officer. The officer was transported to an area hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

At 4:20 p.m. SMPD received an anonymous tip from a community member who found an individual in Palisades Park that matched the description of the suspect. Approximately a dozen agencies worked in a joint effort to capture the suspect.

Officers responding to the call were led on another foot pursuit that ended in the arrest of Hairston who was booked into the Santa Monica jail. Bail was set at $1,000,000.

According to SMPD, the case was presented Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office on June 27. The anticipated charges included but were not limited to: Attempted Murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of attempted murder of the two juveniles in the WAYMO shooting on June 22, and firearms violation. 

On June 27, LA County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman issued a press release, the full text of which is posted on his webpage.

“David Hairston (dob 6/18/94) is charged in case 25ARCF01201 with three counts of attempted murder, one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm upon a peace officer, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and one count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle”.

It also is alleged that Hairston committed the attempted murders willfully, deliberately and with premeditation, and that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun.

At a scheduled arraignment hearing today, the defense declared doubt as to competency and criminal proceedings were suspended. A competency hearing is scheduled for July 14 in Dept. 203 of the Hollywood Courthouse. Bail was set by the court at $4 million.

If convicted as charged, Hairston faces a maximum sentence of 104 years to life in state prison. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stephen Lonseth of LADA’s Crimes Against Peace Officers Division and investigated by the Santa Monica Police Department.

“Our hearts go out to Officer Palmeira and the two young victims and their families who were senselessly targeted during these attacks. Violence in our community, especially against our children and those who risk their lives to protect us, is unacceptable. We are committed to holding the suspect accountable.”

By Sharon

CALIFORNIA—The Los Angeles Fire Department battled a structure fire at a massage business on Tuesday, June 17 in the Beverly Grove area.

The incident was reported at 4:13 p.m. at 8217 W. Beverly Blvd. By 4:33 p.m. the fire was extinguished by 46 firefighters in 20 minutes.

The building is a split level, one story in the front with two stories in the back. The fire was lapping out the first story window up to the second floor at the rear of the building.

Firefighters conducted a transitional attack (applying water from the outside) to quickly knock back some of the fire while crews readied for an interior fire attack.

The fire was prevented from extending to the second floor or the attic. One patient is being evaluated for a minor burn injury. There were no other occupants located inside the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On June 9, Governor Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Seibel Newsom, found herself under scrutiny for going on an elaborate girl’s shopping spree that required an extensive security detail due to the violent anti-immigration protests happening in the Los Angeles area.

Governor Newsom has flooded social media with posts complaining about President Trump deploying U.S. military forces in Los Angeles County. The governor denies the need for extra security. His recent request for an immediate restraining order denying the President the authority to deploy the U.S. military to LA County was not immediately approved by Judge Charles R. Breyer. The judge scheduled a hearing for June 12.

On June 10, Governor Newsom’s wife, and First Lady of California, Jennifer Seibel Newsom posted the following remarks on her X social media page:

“Thank you @LASDup and @LASchools leaders for standing up to protect kids and families. This unnecessary militarization may be entertainment, for the President, but even the premise of armed immigration agents and soldiers near schools where children learn and grow is simply wrong. Please stay safe and calm California.”

In Gavin Newsom’s posts, he claims that, “We didn’t have a problem before Trump got involved.”

Governor Newsom, AG Bonta, Mayor Bass, and local police did nothing to stop the violent anti-ICE protests with protesters spitting, and throwing cinder rocks at Federal Agents. Molotov cocktails were being lobbed at the feds while they were attempting to execute warrants for illegal immigrants with criminal records, and those harboring fugitives which is classified as a felony.

The local police Chiefs: Santa Monica Police Department Chief, Ramon Batista, and the Los Angeles Police Department Chief, Jim McDonnell told their officers not to involve themselves with the federal government’s immigration raids. Their statements may be found on their prospective websites.

When President Trump learned that the Mayor, Governor, California Attorney General, nor the local police would properly assist agents during the protests that turned riotous, he deployed the military for security and to manage crowd control.

President Trump offered the U.S. National Guard before the January 6 riots, and his offer was denied by then Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. This time, he took matters into his own hands.

Newsom and Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration in an attempt to get Judge Breyer to issue a restraining order against the Trump administration to prevent them from deploying the military to Los Angeles County.

Judge Breyer did not honor Newsom’s immediate request for a restraining order. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 12. According to Newsom, it was “unnecessary,” for Trump to deploy the military to LA.

First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom required a security detail to go on a shopping spree.

By Sharon