Tag: Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department

WOODLAND HILLS—On Sunday, September 1, a 5-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion while picnicking with family and friends. Children were together nearby when the mountain lion attacked. He grabbed the child by his head and began to drag him off when his father quickly intervened. The child was reportedly air-lifted to an area hospital for treatment.

Photo by Marek Okon

One of the child’s relatives first told KTLA that,

“Somebody screamed the baby’s name, and his dad started running,” she explained. “The father grabbed the mountain lion with his hands, and he just fought. Then the mountain lion let go.”

Canyon News reached out to California State Park Rangers for more information. The Communications Manager of the California Department of Fish And Wildlife responded with the following statement.

“California State Parks (State Parks) rangers and Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a mountain lion attack at Malibu Creek State Park on Sunday, September 1, at 4:21 p.m. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) wildlife officers, National Park Service personnel, and Los Angeles Fire and Rescue also responded.

A family group from Woodland Hills was having a picnic at Malibu Creek State Park, consisting of at least six adults and a few children. The children were playing in the immediate vicinity of the family’s picnic table when a mountain lion attacked a 5-year-old boy, causing significant but non-life-threatening injuries.

One or more adults charged at the lion, and it released the boy. Multiple witnesses saw the attack and observed the mountain lion climb up a nearby tree.

The lion remained in the tree until [the] State Parks rangers arrived. In consultation with CDFW wildlife officers, they deemed the mountain lion a threat to public safety and a ranger euthanized it via firearm.

The boy was airlifted to the Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was eventually released in the early morning hours of Monday, September 2.

Per standard protocol, wildlife officers contacted the victim and family at the hospital to obtain evidence samples from the bite and scratch wounds and the victim’s clothing. Those evidence samples were confirmed DNA match by CDFW’s Wildlife Forensic Lab in Sacramento.

CDFW and State Parks officials are thankful that the family is safe, and the child is recovering and no one else was injured.”

By Sharon

WOODLAND HILLS—On March 31, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) arrested one individual for attempting to set fire to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) station 105, located at 6345 Fallbrook Ave, in Woodland Hills.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call for trespassing at Station 105 after receiving reports of a man attempting to use the LAFD diesel fuel pump and spray the outside of the building. The suspect was successful in using the fuel pump that requires a pin code to operate.

A LAFD Captain indicated only one member of Station 105 was present at the time of the incident.

Authorities located and arrested the suspect at a nearby homeless encampment where he allegedly resides. No additional information is available about the suspect at this time.

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, March 14, a man that has repeatedly violently attacked small children has been arrested and charged. Ahsante Lamar Morgan, 23, has been charged with child abuse after attacking multiple small children in separate instances. First reports indicate that the suspect may have been living among the homeless community.

On March 14, Morgan pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges that could have caused great harm or death to a child.

The first reported attack took place on March 10, at approximately 7:00 p.m. The parents of the child reported that a man later identified as the accused Morgan, was acting in an erratic behavior.

The little girl was walking northbound on Main Street with her parents behind the bus stop when Morgan struck the child knocking her violently onto the ground. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, this occurred at Main Street and Marine Avenue in Santa Monica.

On March 14, Morgan also reportedly hit a seven-year-old little boy on the boardwalk in Venice. No more information is currently available. No other victims have come forward.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Locator, Morgan, who was described as 23-year-old Black male standing six feet one inches tall and weighing approximately 220 lbs. was initially arrested on March 14 on felony charges by the Los Angeles County Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Division. His bail was set at $100,000.00.

On March 19, Morgan was assigned to Twin Towers Correctional Facility located at 450 Bauchet Street in Los Angeles. His next court date is scheduled for April 2, at 8:30 a.m. at the Lax Superior Court Dept. W31 located at 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard.

By Sharon