Blue Column

THE BLUE COLUMN SEASON 1 (2025) 714-747-5670 “4th Street” Written For Television by Mike Colonna Officer Larry Ambrose and His Partner Stan Chavez FOURTH STREET The corner of Cherry Avenue and Fourth Street, Long Beach police say. Long Beach police are investigating a shooting that left a man wounded Sunday night. Police said they learned of the gunfire when the victim arrived at a local hospital around 7 p.m. He told officers he was in a liquor store on the Northeast corner of Fourth a Atlantic Avenue and Market Street when he “heard noises and observed he was injured,” Long Beach police said in a statement posted on their website. “The man self-transported to the hospital.” Officers searched the area but couldn’t find evidence of a crime scene, police said. Police are still trying to gather information on any suspects or motives.

Fourth Street Shootout/written by Mike Colonna Exterior: Long Beach California-Late afternoon An Orange colored Toyota Supra drives East on Fourth Street to Obispo. A young teenage girl and her boyfriend stop at a liquor store. She drives up to the front, her boyfriend hops out, enters. The girl still has the motor running, the boyfriend rushes out of the store to a hail of AK-47 bullets. The Young girl ducks under the dash, her boyfriend does not make it to her car. A lone gunman pours bullets into the car, the young girl is protected inside the car. Police sirens are heard in the distance.

POLICE DISPATCH OPERATOR All units in the vicinity of fourth street and Ximeno gang activity. Shooter is on the lose. Police cars arrive on the scene. One lifeless body lays on the curb between the Liquor store entrance and a parked Toyota Supra. Officers enter the liquor store, others officers look inside the Toyota Supra and find a young girl sobbing, afraid for her life is hiding under the dashboard. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Are you OK? YOUNG FEMALE I think so. My dads gonna kill me he just gave me this car for my birthday. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Honey, don’t worry about that, I’m glad you’re not hurt in any way. YOUNG FEMALE How’s Bobby? OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE I’m afraid he didn’t make it.

YOUNG FEMALE Oh no. (Sobbing) he was just buying some groceries for his mother. Officers are checking out the Supra, dozens of hole around the hood, the windshield is shot up. Machine gun shells are laying across the intersection. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Come on honey, let’s get you out of here. The young girl holds on to the Officer's hand and eases out from under the dash and out of the Supra. The young girl focuses on two Paramedics wheeling a gurney with her friend covered with a sheet from head to toe. YOUNG FEMALE Oh my god, oh my god. They must have been waiting for him. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Who must have been waiting for him? The young girl starts sobbing. Officer Stan Chavez supervises the removal of the dead teenager and walks over to Officer Larry Ambrose. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Stan, I see camera’s above the entry of the store, check on that for me. Officer Chavez enters the Liquor store, begings interviewing the owner.

OFFICER STAN CHAVEZ I need a copy of your outdoor CCTV camera’s. LIQUOR STORE OWNER Good thing we checked on them last week, they should be working. I’ll get them for you. OFFICER STAN CHAVEZ Thanks. Liquor Store Owner returns, with the videos. LIQUOR STORE OWNER I know the kids' family, they come in here at least once a week. OFFICER STAN CHAVEZ Do you know his name, where he lives?

LIQUOR STORE OWNER Let me check, sometimes they pay by check, there address could be on one of the checks. The liquor store owner walks to the back room, returns with checks, and looks at the officer. Has a remorseful look on his face. OFFICER STAN CHAVEZ What’s wrong? LIQUOR STORE OWNER I told the dean boy’s mother her check bounced, she told me she was embarrassed, I told her to bring me the balance when she had it. The Police Coroner van turns up Fourth Street toward the City Morgue. OFFICER STAN CHAVEZ The kids address is on this check, they live just a few blocks from here. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE The girl lives on the other side of town, let’s take her home, we’ll bring her in tomorrow. See what she knows. They arrive at the girl's home. Knock on the door.

GIRLS MOTHER Officers, what’s this all about. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Mam, we have your daughter, she’s been involved in what I believe may have been a gang shooting. GIRLS MOTHER Where is she? OFFICER STAN CHAVEZ She’s in the car, I’ll get her. The girl gets out of the police car and walks up the sidewalk to her home. GIRLS MOTHER Malissa, what’s this all about? Malissa, sobbing, MALISSA Mom, they shot Bobby.

GIRLS MOTHER What do you mean? OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Mam, your daughter’s been involved in a drive-by shooting, her friend is dead. Please bring Malissa down to the station tomorrow, we have to talk to her. The girl's mother puts her arm around Malissa and walks her into the house. Officers Ambrose and Chavez drive off to interview the dead boy's family. They arrive and walk up to the dead boy's residence. The dead boy's father peers out of the window and sees the police car. Opens the front door. DEAN BOYS FATHER Officers, can I help you. Both Ambrose and Chavez approach the front door. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Yes sir, were here about you son. Can we come in? The father walks them into the living room.

DEAN BOYS FATHER What’s this all about? OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE We’re here to inform you that your son has been shot. He didn’t make it. His wife Alma is in the back room. DEAD BOYS FATHER Alma, come here quickly.. Alma rushes into the living room. OFFICER LARRY AMBROSE Mam, your boy was shot in what we think is some type of gang activity. DEAN BOYS MOTHER Where is he. The officers look at each other. OFFICER CHAVEZ He didn’t make it. Alma collapses. The dead boys father grabs her and moves her over to the couch. She’s slumped over sobbing. DEAN BOYS MOTHER My Bobby, My Bobby, please don’t tell me that he’s dead. Please don’t. Alma keeps sobbing. DEAD BOYS FATHER Officer how did it happen, where was he?

Ghost Platoon NOTT (CONT’D) (CONT’D) I understand there are extenuating circumstances surrounding your case. I’m sorry for your loss, but I have a verdict to grant the plaintiffs the amount you have approved through your attorney. A substantial amount I might add. I am also notifying you that your license will be suspended for a period of 10 years. At that time the court will consider reinstatement based on your behavior during this 10 year period. DaVinci loses his license at a Board of Inquiry. DaVinci is devastated but accepts his punishment. Lost without purpose, DaVinci spends hours walking dreaming what could have been. A few days later he walks by a Marine Corps recruiting office. And enters. Walks into a Marine Corps recruiting center and joins the Medical Corps. DaVinci is appointed an intelligence officer. One of the first people I ran into was Lt. General James Overman. He was the commander of the special strike unit that patrolled the roads from our camp to one of the hostile areas just miles from our base.

OVERMAN Glad to meet you, Lt. DaVinci. DAVINCI Yes sir. OVERMAN Welcome aboard. The General pulls DaVinci aside privately. OVERMAN (CONT’D) I’ve read about all of your dramas. You’ve got a great reputation. DAVINCI Thank you for the compliment General. DaVinci gets a quick handshake from everyone around the General. Weeks later, DaVinci was assigned a small platoon of six men to patrol a small town in Afghanistan near the base. These were regular daily missions. His convoy, while on patrol in Afghanistan, drives over a huge roadside bomb hurling his Humvee 20 feet in the air. DaVinci is the only living survivor. He receives a purple heart. DaVinci is discharged, looks for work in Los Angeles but is turned down at every interview. With no future, DaVinci becomes a resident of skid row.

A BRIGHT STARRY NIGHT - FULL MOON Billions of stars glitter behind a full moon. We pull back off the sky, and hear hustle and bustle under a street bridge in Los Angeles’s huge freight train yard. PANNING DOWN A lone soul, in a tent, nestled under a blanket beside 10 homeless people, snoring, arms folded behind his head with his eyes gazing into the sky. His thoughts are on times gone by. FLASHBACK INT. Beverly Hills - Operating room - Morning Three nurses prepare a female patient for plastic surgery. A face lift. Dr. DaVinci enters, seems disoriented, and has popped pills to give him more energy. A famous movie star lies on an operating table waiting for Dr. DaVinci to do his magic face lift. DaVinci Loses his license at a Board of Inquiry. Walks into an Army recruiting center and joins the Medical Corps as an intelligence officer. One of the first people he meets is Lt. General James Overman. Overman is the commander of the special strike unit that patrols the roads from camp to one of the hostile areas just miles from our base. OVERMAN Glad to meet you, Lt. DaVinci. DAVINCI Yes sir. OVERMAN Welcome aboard.

The General pulls DaVinci aside privately. OVERMAN (CONT’D) I’ve read about all of your dramas. You’ve got a great reputation. DAVINCI Thank you for the compliment General. All assignments were made with the General’s knowledge. It was called the human intelligence tent. DaVinci gets a quick handshake from everyone around the General. Weeks later, DaVinci was assigned a small platoon of six men to patrol a small town near the base. These were regular daily missions. His convoy, somewhere in Afghanistan, drives over a huge roadside bomb hurling his Humvee 20 feet in the air. DaVinci attends to the wounded and is awarded a medal of valor. DaVinci is discharged, looks for work in LA but is turned down at every interview. With no future, DaVinci becomes a resident of skid row.

EXT. SIXTH STREET BRIDGE - MIDNIGHT - LOS ANGELES DaVinci is awakened by an explosion on the bridge. Startled, he rushes to the top of the bridge and sees a police car that appears to have hit some type of land mine. A lone female officer is dazed and trapped in the front seat. DaVinci jerks open the passenger side and pulls the police officer out of the car. DaVinci turns on her vest radio and shouts for help. DAVINCI Officer Down. Does anyone have a copy? 911 OPERATOR Sir, please state your name and Where are you calling from? DAVINCI I’m here with a downed Police Officer, we’re at the 6th Street bridge, Hurry! 911 OPERATOR Sir, I need your name, please! DAVINCI You’re wasting time. Get someone down here ASAP.

The officer begins to regain consciousness. Police cars are racing toward the accident. Sirens blaring. The officer reaches into her shirt pocket and gives DaVinci her card. She pushes DaVinci away and signals him to leave before her fellow officers arrive. DaVinci moves quickly from the scene, as he does he notices the moon catch some type of glass shining from a six story building nearby. EXT. SIX STORY BUILDING - LATE NIGHT - LOS ANGELES DaVinci enters the slum looking building and rushes up to the fourth story where he detected the flash of moonlight off of glass. He quietly opens the door. A disposable cell phone, a cigarette butt are on the floor next to the window. The apartment is vacant. Two men are fast footing it down the back fire escape, they get to the alley, a black van moves quickly through the alley, stops, the side door opens. The two middle eastern looking men jump in and are immediately shot by the driver of the van.

INT: LOS ANGELES - HOSPITAL - MORNING DaVinci walks through the hallway and passes an armed police officer guarding the injured officer. DaVinci nodded in. Bruised but not in serious condition, the female officer gives DaVinci a slight smile of approval. EXT: SIX STORY BUILDING - MORNING - LOS ANGELES DaVinci walks the alley and picks up a spent shell. A nervous young homeless couple appears at the end of the alley. They have information. A license number, description of the van, a blurred description of the driver. DaVinci returns to his homeless encampment under the sixth street bridge. His confidant is Jack Ging, a75 year old ex Navy Seal during the Korean War. DaVinci shares his information with Jack.

EXT. PHONE BOOTH ABOVE BRIDGE - AFTERNOON. DaVinci dials the officer in the hospital bedroom. MONICA GOMEZ Who is this? DAVINCI Hope you are feeling better. I’m the guy who found you on the bridge. MONICA GOMEZ I owe you my life, you and the others that helped me, I can’t thank you enough. DAVINCI I would visit you but I’m sure you have a 24 hour guard at your door. MONICA GOMEZ When I’m out of here, we have to meet. DAVINCI Fine with me. Weeks later. WATCH CAPTAIN Officer Gomez, the Captain wants to have a few words with you. Officer Gomez enters the Captain’s office. CAPTAIN MORRIS Glad you’re feeling better, that was quite a death defying event you went through. The reason why you’re here? I want you to head a task force to infiltrate two East L.A. (MORE) CAPTAIN MORRIS (CONT’D) Drug gangs. It won’t be easy but I will supply you with all the tools you need. Interested? MONICA GOMEZ I’m in, Captain. Officer Gomez visits the Sixth Street Bridge location where she was rescued by DaVinci. She walks to the railing, looks down, sees a homeless encampment. Walk down to the encampment and observe more than 10 homeless men and women laying back on pillows and beach chairs. One of the tents seems off the beaten path, as she walks to the enclosure, a homeless man in his mid 30’s exits. MONICA GOMEZ (CONT’D) Maybe you could help me. I’m looking for a man who rescued me about one month ago after an accident above this bridge.

DAVINCI I guess you’re looking for me. MONICA GOMEZ Well then, we have a lot to talk about. Let’s meet tomorrow at the Echo Park Avenue Concession area. Need a ride? DAVINCI No, I’ll see you there at 2pm. MONICA GOMEZ (2PM IT IS.) EXT: AERIAL OF ECHO PARK, AFTERNOON 2PM Aerial of Echo Park lagoon, small concession canoe’s with families, couples enjoying paddling around the small lake. Officer Gomez dressed in civilian clothes, dolled up waiting for DaVinci sitting on a park bench overlooking the water. A mid-twenties male is sitting on a chair singing songs working for tips nearby. DaVinci approaches Gomez and sits next to her on the bench. MONICA GOMEZ Well, Well, we finally met face to face. DAVINCI My pleasure, officer. Officer Gomez. MONICA GOMEZ My friends call me Monica. DAVINCI Glad to meet you Officer Gomez, again, under different circumstances. MONICA GOMEZ I guess you could say that. Actually you saved my life. How did you get there so fast? DAVINCI The explosion woke me out of a dead sleep, good thing I was close by. MONICA GOMEZ If I recall, you pulled me out of the patrol car, I’m not sure if I was seeing things, but you looked like you had help. DAVINCI You were imagining things. MONICA GOMEZ No I’m serious there was a lot of commotion, voices, fading in and out, invisible figures that faded in and out, moving quickly and methodically. DAVINCI Well it’s a long story Detective. MONICA GOMEZ Please call me Monica. DAVINCI Ok, Monica, I spent three years in the Middle East, lot’s of issues I don’t want to talk about, everyone in my platoon was killed by a roadside bomb. (MORE) DAVINCI (CONT’D) I had a serious brain injury, when I came to in the hospital, I was surrounded by what I thought was a dream, or hallucination, shit, I don’t know what to call it, but the guys in my platoon surrounded my hospital bed, they followed me everywhere, I don’t know, sounds crazy but it’s as if they never died.

MONICA GOMEZ Interesting. Maybe they were the figures I saw, helping you after my car exploded. DAVINCI Who knows? DaVinci focuses on the guitar player who has a waist high cast on his right side. He has two tip jars, one on each side of his chair. Planted next to the tip jar on the right is a small shopping bag, as people walk by they would dump a few coins into the right tip jar. Some young teenagers, strolled by, listened, then put dollar bills in the tip jar on the left. After they deposited their tip, they stuck their hand in the paper bag, and pulled out what seemed to be a small baggie. DAVINCI (CONT’D) Detective, I mean Monica, check out that guitar player, he’s got two tip jars, looks like one for the public, the other for druggies. After he finished dealing he hobbled off to a waiting late model Chevy Van. I got the license number if you’re interested and a picture of the van. MONICA GOMEZ Very astute of you to notice, you have an eye for undercover work. (MORE)

MONICA GOMEZ (CONT’D) We’ve been watching him for months, he’s connected with a small-time East L.A. Drug gang, we’ve got eyes on him, he doesn’t know it, but his drug selling days will be over soon. DAVINCI What’s your plan? MONICA GOMEZ My plan is to recruit you to be my undercover connection with the street gangs. Are you interested? DAVINCI I don’t know, I’m a disbarred Plastic surgeon, an officer that lost his platoon in Afghanistan, a bum living under an L.A. Bridge, what good would I be? MONICA GOMEZ Don’t be so hard on yourself Doctor. I can use you, you’ll be paid well, enough to buy some decent clothes, and maybe a nice little place you can call home. DAVINCI Let me think about this. I’ll need some time.

MONICA GOMEZ Don’t wait too long, the streets are filling up with drug dealers, I need your help. DaVinci leaves the bench, walks past the guitar player, and smiles. The guitar player reaches into the right jar to pick out the cash, DaVinci observes a three leaf black clover with 6’s in each leaf and the letters AB inscribed below the clover. DaVinci, nonchalantly walks to a bench close-by, so he can observe the guitar playing drug dealer. The drug dealer picks up his gear and hobbles off a waiting white van. DaVinci snaps a cell phone picture capturing the van and a license plate. He walks to the Laguna Avenue bus stop where he boards a bus and heads back to his “palace” underneath the 6th street bridge. DaVinci realizes his brain has special powers with his Ghost Platoon. The Platoon was clean cut, raucous, superhumans. Misunderstood by their actions but loyal to DaVinci, their Platoon Commander. Later DaVinci calls Officer Gomez. DAVINCI We’re in, I mean I’m in. She nods with a puzzling grin. Later that night the drug dealer is settled in his apartment next to a window. A suspicious black four door sedan is driving by slowly. He begins to panic, grabs his cash, calls 911 and frantically reports the scene and that he fears for his life. DRUG DEALER 911 Please help me, 911 OPERATOR Sir was your name and where are you calling from?

DRUG DEALER Hurry, they’re coming after me. 911 OPERATOR Who’s coming after you. I see where you're at an address near Echo Park. mDRUG DEALER They’re getting out of their car, and coming into my building. 911 OPERATOR Sir we’re sending a unit out to your address. DRUG DEALER Hurry! The drug dealer exits, walks down the second floor hallway looking for the fire escape. Pushes the handle, jumps down to the landing on the fire escape, he’s in pain, begins hobbling down to the first floor, then onto the street. The passengers, rival gang members, enter the building with drawn guns, they climb the stairs, first floor, second floor, move down the hall, look for the drug dealer's apartment, Apartment 211, bust open the door, check the rooms, nobody, one of the rival gang members looks out the window. He sees a man trying to run with a cast on his right leg. He flags his fellow gang members, they see the guitar drug dealer hobbling, then ducking into an alley. They run down the stairs, the chase begins, the guitar player is at the end of the alley, sees an eight foot fence, he gasps, muttering expletives, starts climbing up the fence, there’s barbed wire at the top, if he doesn’t make it, he’s dead meat. Guitar playing drug dealer climbs to the top of the fence, tries to get over, he’s hears voices shouting VOICE ONE We’ll kill you “ Cavarone.” His cast gets caught at the top of the fence, he pulls as hard as he can, nothing, muttering to himself, maybe I can crawl down the other side, his cast is caught in the barbed wire, he’s hanging upside down. Two squad cars come down the alley, the gang members flee, the guitar playing drug dealer is hanging.

OFFICER ONE Ok buddy, we just saved your life. PACO Get me outta here man. Can’t you see I’m in extreme pain. OFFICER ONE What’s your name? (As they untangle Paco from the fence) PACO What’s it to you? Just get me out of here. Paco is now laying on the ground. Moaning. OFFICER ONE We’re taking you to a hospital. We hear ambulance sirens approaching. PACO No man just get me up. I can make it home. Officer Two is on the two way with the Captain. OFFICER TWO Norm, the Captain says we have to let this character go. OFFICER ONE If that’s what they want, we have no choice. Let’s turn him lose. Weeks later. Two gangbangers are in a dark late model car in a residential neighborhood in East L.A. Smoking weed.

DRIVER Hey man, this is good stuff. He hands the weed to his passenger. PASSENGER We should get back to the warehouse, the boss is waiting. DRIVER C’mon man, he can wait. (inhales) A dark pickup truck drives up the block slowly. As he approaches the gangbangers, the passenger pulls out an AK 47, they come up to the car, the passenger in the car waves to the driver in the dark car, pulls out his AK -47 and begins spraying the dark car, bullets are flying, windows are breaking, the gangbangers are ducking, the gangbangers are shot dead. Collateral damage to homes and anyone standing in the line of fire are hit by the shooter. They burn rubber and race down the residential street. Neighbors come out of their homes to see the carnage. It was a Saturday afternoon and Angelina Perez was sitting on her front lawn trying to lure her cat out from the front porch. She rose to her feet from a crouched position and a black pickup truck slowly drove by spraying passengers in the car parked in front of the Perez home. The front porch and windows in front of the house are blown out. The ten year old was in the line of fire, she would be the latest victim of a drive-by in the L.A’s, Barrio. The victim of a stray bullet, her little body held the promise of an Olympic medal someday. All of this gone in a flash, a crumpled lifeless body, gone from life to limp. Oscar Perez heard the gunfire, a familiar sound, and charged out of his house to see his child who lay motionless. She was gone and he knew that his life no longer had any meaning. When the police arrived they attempted to console him. OFFICER ONE Mr. Perez, we can’t tell you how sorry we are. (MORE)

OFFICER ONE (CONT’D) Did you see anything that could help us find these murderers? Oscar Perez is holding his daughter in his arms. Officer one is trying to calm him down. OSCAR PEREZ These sons of bitches, assholes, murderers, will pay for this. Why would God let this happen, she was a beautiful little girl, her future was bright. (Looking up to the sky.) There is no God, why would he let this happen. (Drowning his tears on Angelina’s limp body.) Two plainclothes officers approach Oscar and ask if they could speak to him. They were assigned to the gang squad, Detective Gomez was in radio contact with them. DETECTIVE DIAZ Oscar, this isn’t the time and place we are very sorry, whatever your plans for your daughter, were available to help. Let’s talk tomorrow. DETECTIVE BALLANTE We’re going to comb the area for anyone that either saw something or had their front porch camera recording this assassination. The Detectives arrive at the station hours later, their flagged into a room with Detective Gomez. DETECTIVE DIAZ That little girl had no chance. Her father’s a mess. He’s ready to go to war to avenge his daughter's murder. DETECTIVE BALLANTE We’re checking the neighborhood to see if anyone has this on camera. DETECTIVE DIAZ Officer Degner just messaged me that one of the neighbors has a video of the pickup truck that the two gangsters were in. Detective Gomez’s mind is in brainstorming mode. She calls DaVinci, and fills him in. OSCAR PEREZ This is bullshit. I want revenge, we’ve been under this cloud for years, ignoring the killings. (MORE) OSCAR PEREZ (CONT’D) Marcella Perez is crying in the kitchen.

MARCELLA Oscar, our little baby is dead. Watch what you say, you could be next. OSCAR PEREZ Marcella, we have to take a stand. I promise you I will not take matters into my own hands. MARCELLA We have to move out of this area, Oscar, I’ve had enough of the killings, the rapes, the drug dealing. Oscar is sobbing on the couch, nodding his approval. Oscar didn’t know that he was about to become a part of something that would profoundly affect his community. He had lost his son Mario, an LAPD rookie officer, to gang crossfire, and now his daughter. On an evening after the funeral, Oscar answered the phone and agreed to meet with the detectives after midnight. OSCAR PEREZ Hello, who is this? DETECTIVE ONE Oscar, this is Detective Diego, my partner and I want to pick you up and meet some people that could help in finding the people that murdered your daughter. OSCAR PEREZ It’s after midnight, what will I tell my wife? DETECTIVE DIAZ Tell her the LAPD has got some leads on your daughter's murder, and they want to talk to me right now. MARCELLA I’m coming with you.

OSCAR PEREZ They want to see me alone. I can handle it Marcella, trust me. It’s approaching midnight Oscar is waiting patiently looking out his front window waiting for the officers. A car arrives, the two detectives flash their lights on and off, Oscar opens the passenger door. Detective One is driving, the other detective is in the back seat. DETECTIVE DIAZ Oscar, we know you’re hurting. And we hear that you want revenge. OSCAR PEREZ I’m moving out of this hell hole. As they drive off. Oscar looks back and sees Marcella looking out of their living room window. DETECTIVE DIAZ We need to talk to you in a safe place. The secret meeting place is in a warehouse in the rear of a junk yard filled with dismantled cars, not too far from the Sixth Street Bridge. The two detectives escort Oscar into the warehouse. Detectives Carlos Diaz, and Eddie Ballante are making sure nobody’s eyes are on their meeting. Oscar is looking around, what’s next? The light was poor but Oscar could see men, some faintly, seated at a long table.

DETECTIVE DIAZ (CONT’D) (CONT’D) Oscar, not sure if you’ve not met our lead Detective Gomez. Next to her is a neighbor that lives six houses away. Oscar focuses and recognizes Johnny Solario. The two men stare at each other for a long moment then lock in a powerful embrace, sobbing uncontrollably , tears streaming down their faces. The pain of unbearable loss. OSCAR PEREZ I’m surprised to see you here Johnny. I think the last time we saw each other was at your son Antonio's funeral. Detective Gomez sits silently. DETECTIVE DIAZ This meeting is off the books. I want both of you men to assure us that you understand, the things we talk about may make you cringe, you may want to leave. If you leave, it means you were never here. (MORE) DETECTIVE DIAZ (CONT’D) Understood? And if you were never here, you can’t talk about it. Oscar and Johnny both show nods of approval.

DETECTIVE BALLANTE We are here tonight to break the law. We want to make sure the punks in these gangs pay for the pain, suffering and heartache they have caused. There will come a time when The neighborhoods will no longer live in fear. It will be the gangs, the punks who will live in fear. We offer no mercy. Age will not matter. They will pay with their lives and the price will be ten to one. For every one us that falls, there will be ten of them who die. We will call this secret, Society of Vengeance. “La Society of Venganza!” JOHNNY SOLARIO (Regaining his composure) I want to be a part of this. No matter what it takes I want to avenge my son’s death. Solario was a thirty year veteran of the LAPD, he was comfortable with his retirement, despite the loss of his wife. My sons grew up knowing that their father would be proud of them if they became police officers. You know they both lived at home after my wife Anna died. They both respected me, and wanted to be close to me. We would have dinner together almost every night. All we talked about were police matters. They always asked for my advice. Detective’s Diaz, and Ballante exit the warehouse leaving the two men alone. Johnny Solario, sat at the long table, with a grim face, he was in his late fifties, he sat at the table quietly. His eyes were glazed, he looked around the almost empty warehouse, knowing that he had every right to be at this meeting. The warehouse is dead quiet. Johnny Solario rises from his chair with a determined demeanor. Slamming the table with his fist. JOHNNY SOLARIO (CONT’D) I’m going to rip their hearts out like they did to me! I want vengeance! Let the “La Society of Venganza!” Begin. DaVinci picks up information at his homeless camp that a big drug deal is about to come down. A drug trafficking gang in South Central Los Angeles based in Mexico is about to deliver more than three million dollars of fentanyl to one East L.A. Gang Unit’s Detective Gomez’s been investigating. DAVINCI The Downtown Crips plan to steal the drugs during the (transfer.) DETECTIVE DIAZ There will be some fireworks. You should stay away. DAVINCI I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Keep me in the loop. Sixteenth Street Gang and the Twenty Eighth Street Gang resulted in the apprehension of two men and the seizure of more than three million dollars of fentanyl.

Ricardo Choza sits next to a memorial for his girlfriend, Briana Soto, during Poly/PAAL High School commencement ceremony at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Seventeen-year-old Briana Soto was just steps away from her Long Beach home when she was gunned down in March for no apparent reason. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova. A jury in Long Beach today found a man guilty of murder for shooting a 17-year-old Poly High School student to death for reasons that remain a mystery. Long Beach resident Troy Lamar Fox, 34, now faces over 100 years to life in prison at an upcoming sentencing hearing, according to prosecutors. Briana Soto, who was described as a cheerful and upbeat student, had just clocked out of her job at McDonald’s and was walking home when she was fatally shot near the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue at about 8:22 p.m. on March 26, 2024, prosecutors said. She was so close to home at the time that her mother heard the shots, according to police. Police said previously that it didn’t appear Fox had any prior relationship with Soto. He did not appear to interact with her at all before the shooting. Troy Lamar Fox. Courtesy the Long Beach Police Department. During the trial, prosecutors did not present evidence of a potential motive for Soto’s killing. Fox’s conviction hinged on DNA evidence and an interrogation room identification from his ex-girlfriend.

A senior criminologist testified during the trial that DNA collected from one of the four bullet casings at the murder scene returned a match for Fox. Homicide detectives also tried to track the suspected shooter’s movements by collecting video footage from around the scene, but they lost track of the shooter on video near 11th Street and Lime Avenue, where prosecutors say Fox’s girlfriend, Tyrisha Hawkins, lived at the time. Detectives arrested Hawkins on a weapons charge nearly six months after Soto’s killing. In an interview captured on video with detectives in September, Hawkins said the man shown in the security camera clips matched Fox’s walk and had on black, white and red Nike Jordan 11s, which Fox also owned at the time. Hawkins also testified that Fox had access to her Nissan, which prosecutors allege Fox used to carry out a separate shooting in a parking lot near 14th Street and Pine Avenue on the morning of April 9, when Fox allegedly fired at, but missed, four teenagers as they drove away. Police said this man, right, shot 17-year-old Briana Soto, left, as she walked home from work on March 26, 2024. Photos courtesy the Long Beach Police Department. Prosecutors alleged that Fox fired 13 rounds during the April shooting. At the time of both shootings, Fox had a warrant out for his arrest dating back to November 2023, when he allegedly violated the terms of his conditional release related to a conviction of illegal weapons possession, police said. On Friday, Fox was found guilty of one count of premeditated murder, four counts of attempted murder stemming from the separate shooting two weeks later and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

His history of convictions dates back to 2013 when he accepted a plea deal on one felony count of making criminal threats in Antelope Valley. Since then, Fox has also served time for grand theft in 2015 and 2017, felony burglary and grand theft in 2018 along with commercial burglary in 2019. Outside a hearing last October, Soto’s mother, Ana Morales, said in Spanish that she was only hoping for one thing: That justice be done for her, that is what I ask. Fox is due back in court for sentencing on June 9.

The Blue Column A man who kidnapped Season 1 _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ LONG BEACH, Calif. (CNS) -- a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in Texas, then repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her to Long Beach, where she was rescued by waving a "help me'' note to passersby, was sentenced Friday to 35 years in federal prison. Steven Robert Sablan, 63, of Cleburne, Texas, pleaded guilty last year to kidnapping. According to federal prosecutors, the girl was walking in San Antonio on July 6, 2023, when Sablan pulled alongside her in a gray Nissan Sentra, pointed a gun at her and ordered her into the car. He drove away with the girl and asked how old she was, and she told him she was 13, prosecutors said. The girl also told him she had a friend in Australia, and Sablan allegedly told her that he could take her to a cruise ship so she could visit the friend, "but she had to do something for him first,'' prosecutors said. Sablan allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl and began driving her to California, sexually assaulting her at least two more times along the way, according to prosecutors.

On July 9, Sablan parked the car in Long Beach and went into a laundromat to wash their clothes, prosecutors said. While he was away, the girl -- still in the car -- wrote "Help Me'' on a note and showed it to people passing by, prompting one of them to call police. Responding officers found the girl, and she mouthed the word "help'' to them, according to prosecutors. Long Beach police located and arrested Sablan. Officers searching the suspect's car found the girl's "help me'' note, as well as a black BB gun and a pair of handcuffs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said the girl had been reported as a runaway in San Antonio.

The Blue Column Man wounded 2. Title Written Copyright ____________________________________________________________ Mike Colonna ____________________________________________________________ in shooting near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street, Long Beach police say Long Beach police are investigating a shooting that left a man wounded Sunday night. Police said they learned of the gunfire when the victim arrived at a local hospital around 7 p.m. He told officers he was near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street when he “heard noises and observed he was injured,” Long Beach police said in a statement posted on their website. “The man self-transported to the hospital.” Officers searched the area but couldn’t find evidence of a crime scene, police said. Police are still trying to gather information on any suspects or motive.

The Blue Column Jury convicts Season 1 ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ gunman of murdering 17-year-old Poly student as she walked home from work Ricardo Choza sits next to a memorial for his girlfriend, Briana Soto, during Poly/PAAL High School commencement ceremony at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Seventeen-year-old Briana Soto was just steps away from her Long Beach home when she was gunned down in March for no apparent reason. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova. A jury in Long Beach today found a man guilty of murder for shooting a 17-year-old Poly High School student to death for reasons that remain a mystery. Long Beach resident Troy Lamar Fox, 34, now faces over 100 years to life in prison at an upcoming sentencing hearing, according to prosecutors. Briana Soto, who was described as a cheerful and upbeat student, had just clocked out of her job at McDonald’s and was walking home when she was fatally shot near the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue at about 8:22 p.m. on March 26, 2024, prosecutors said. She was so close to home at the time that her mother heard the shots, according to police. Police said previously that it didn’t appear Fox had any prior relationship with Soto. He did not appear to interact with her at all before the shooting. Troy Lamar Fox. Courtesy the Long Beach Police Department.

During the trial, prosecutors did not present evidence of a potential motive for Soto’s killing. Fox’s conviction hinged on DNA evidence and an interrogation room identification from his ex-girlfriend. A senior criminologist testified during the trial that DNA collected from one of the four bullet casings at the murder scene returned a match for Fox. Homicide detectives also tried to track the suspected shooter’s movements by collecting video footage from around the scene, but they lost track of the shooter on video near 11th Street and Lime Avenue, where prosecutors say Fox’s girlfriend, Tyrisha Hawkins, lived at the time. Detectives arrested Hawkins on a weapons charge nearly six months after Soto’s killing. In an interview captured on video with detectives in September, Hawkins said the man shown in the security camera clips matched Fox’s walk and had on black, white and red Nike Jordan 11s, which Fox also owned at the time.

Hawkins also testified that Fox had access to her Nissan, which prosecutors allege Fox used to carry out a separate shooting in a parking lot near 14th Street and Pine Avenue on the morning of April 9, when Fox allegedly fired at, but missed, four teenagers as they drove away. Police said this man, right, shot 17-year-old Briana Soto, left, as she walked home from work on March 26, 2024. Photos courtesy the Long Beach Police Department. Prosecutors alleged that Fox fired 13 rounds during the April shooting. At the time of both shootings, Fox had a warrant out for his arrest dating back to November 2023, when he allegedly violated the terms of his conditional release related to a conviction of illegal weapons possession, police said. On Friday, Fox was found guilty of one count of premeditated murder, four counts of attempted murder stemming from the separate shooting two weeks later and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

His history of convictions dates back to 2013 when he accepted a plea deal on one felony count of making criminal threats in Antelope Valley. Since then, Fox has also served time for grand theft in 2015 and 2017, felony burglary and grand theft in 2018 along with commercial burglary in 2019. Outside a hearing last October, Soto’s mother, Ana Morales, said in Spanish that she was only hoping for one thing: That justice be done for her, that is what I ask. Fox is due back in court for sentencing on June 9. ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________ LONG BEACH, Calif. (CNS) -- a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in Texas, then repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her to Long Beach, where she was rescued by waving a "help me'' note to passersby, was sentenced Friday to 35 years in federal prison. Steven Robert Sablan, 63, of Cleburne, Texas, pleaded guilty last year to kidnapping. According to federal prosecutors, the girl was walking in San Antonio on July 6, 2023, when Sablan pulled alongside her in a gray Nissan Sentra, pointed a gun at her and ordered her into the car. He drove away with the girl and asked how old she was, and she told him she was 13, prosecutors said. The girl also told him she had a friend in Australia, and Sablan allegedly told her that he could take her to a cruise ship so she could visit the friend, "but she had to do something for him first,'' prosecutors said. Sablan allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl and began driving her to California, sexually assaulting her at least two more times along the way, according to prosecutors.

On July 9, Sablan parked the car in Long Beach and went into a laundromat to wash their clothes, prosecutors said. While he was away, the girl -- still in the car -- wrote "Help Me'' on a note and showed it to people passing by, prompting one of them to call police. Responding officers found the girl, and she mouthed the word "help'' to them, according to prosecutors. Long Beach police located and arrested Sablan. Officers searching the suspect's car found the girl's "help me'' note, as well as a black BB gun and a pair of handcuffs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said the girl had been reported as a runaway in San Antonio.

THE BLUE COLUMN VANESSA WESTSIDE SHOOTING __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ SPRING LAKE, N.C. (WTVD) -- New search warrants in the abduction of a 15-year-old girl in Harnett County last month reveal conversations between the teen and one of her alleged abductors on social media. Two men, Elihue Mahler, 31, of Virginia Beach, and Austyn Lee Cole, 23, of Kitty Hawk, are facing human trafficking and kidnapping charges after the teen went missing from her home near Spring Lake in February, prompting a statewide AMBER Alert. Documents show that the teen told her mom she needed to go outside to get a water bottle from their car, however, a conversation using Instagram's direct messaging system shows she was making plans to meet up with a person with the username "rich_mf_ez", which belonged to Mahler, according to search warrants. On Feb. 25, the account messaged the girl "Yo" and "Where you at." After the teen responded, "rich_mf_ez" instructed her multiple times to delete all of the messages before leaving. He then told her "Look in like 12 minutes go ahead and sneak out and start walking down the street." The teen was eventually found safe with Mahler and Cole in Dare County more than 100 miles from home. During the search, the girl's mother told investigators her daughter's phone had parental controls that prevented her from downloading social media apps. But the teen had a tablet, which was missing from the scene, without those controls. According to authorities, Mahler has a lengthy criminal history in Virginia, including fleeing to elude and assault on a law enforcement officer, while Cole's history is not as "substantial."

Both men were considered flight risks and the judge increased their bonds to $5 million each in Harnett County. They face charges of felony human trafficking of a child victim, felony kidnapping, felony conspiracy to kidnap, and felony conspiracy, human trafficking. Two suspects have been charged in an AMBER Alert that involved a 15-year-old Harnett County girl. Two suspects have been charged in an AMBER Alert that involved a 15-year-old Harnett County girl. SBISocial media dangers

ABC 11 spoke with Laura Tierney, the Founder and CEO of The Social Institute in Durham - whose mission is to help parents and kids navigate technology and channel it for good. "You are who you surround yourself with," Tierney said. "And so I always tell the students, avoid anonymous platforms and sites that can easily surround you with strangers." Tierney said that traffickers have become more adept at reaching kids, utilizing new social media platforms and even online gaming to get in contact with potential victims. She said that nowadays, it's much more likely an online threat will try to build a relationship with a potential victim over time. "Unfortunately, traffickers have gotten even more sophisticated in how they approach people, especially young people. And one major trend that they often do is try to just build trust over time," she said. While the warrants from last week's kidnapping underscore the potential risks for kids of interacting with strangers online, Tierney said there are warning signs for potentially illicit interactions that parents can look out for. "If your child doesn't want you to see their screen, like if they're quickly closing tabs or, you know, changing what's on their screen or even angling their device that way. And also if they start pulling back more than usual. So if they're spending more time alone or avoiding family activities," Tierney said.

Tierney added that there are powerful built-in settings families can use, like making all accounts private and turning off location sharing on different apps. She said young people should be sensitive to any attempts to extract personal information. Local News Teen girl speaks out after attempted abduction in South Miami Miami.

THE BLUE COLUMN WATERTOWN, _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ New York (WWNY) - A teenager from Georgia is accused of abducting a girl from Watertown for sexual purposes. City police arrested 18-year-old Keller Singleton of Rome, Georgia on a felony count of first-degree kidnapping. Police said a 13-year-old girl had been reported missing from Watertown on January 6. Officials said their investigation led them to Singleton, who allegedly used social media to help the girl run away. They said Singleton planned to bring the girl to his home in Georgia for sexual purposes. According to police, Singleton abandoned the girl at a restaurant in Marion, Virginia the next day. She called the police. Virginia State Police took Singleton into custody in the nearby community of Chilhowie. According to court documents, Singleton allegedly picked up the girl at the Burger King on State Street on the morning of January 6. The papers also allege Singleton sent messages through the social media app Snapchat showing his intent to sexually abuse the girl. Singleton was extradited to Watertown and arraigned. He’s being held in the Jefferson County Jail. More charges are possible pending grand jury action.

“We strongly encourage parents to monitor their children’s online activity and social media usage for the potential harm that can be caused by people the children may encounter on the internet,” city police said in a news release. Watertown police were assisted by the Jefferson County Emergency Management Dispatch Center, the New York State Police, the North Country Crime Analysis Center, the Virginia State Police, the New York State Missing Person’s Clearinghouse, and the FBI.

THE BLUE COLUMN BELMONT SHORE CAR BOMB ____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Stolen truck collides with vehicles during California police chase A man was taken into custody after crashing into 13 vehicles while trying to evade police in Long Beach, California on Friday. Aerial footage shows the suspect speeding into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with multiple vehicles, before crashing into the car park of a paint shop. Motorist Ricardo Colindes told CBS News he was dropping off parts when his work truck was stolen by the suspect. At least one officer was injured in the incident, according to local media. No serious injuries were reported. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cn4w7yr2z1ro The Los Angeles Police Department chased a car into Long Beach on Friday. The driver fled through the city on Del Amo Boulevard, sometimes traveling at high speeds and on the wrong side of the roadway.

FOX11 Los Angeles reported the car was stolen. Helicopter footage showed the driver bail out of the car in a culdesac in Cerritos around 12:50 p.m. Police chased him on foot for several blocks and took him into custody near Corby Avenue and Christy Street by Gridley Park. _

____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ THE BLUE COLUMN HOMELESS BALLAST POINT An abandoned RV parking lot has been taken over by squatters. Those who live and work nearby say they see several RV fires and crime occurring regularly. Clean-up efforts will begin March 26 after the property owner won a court order to remove the occupants. THE BLUE COLUMN Season 1 _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ LOS ANGELES - Cleanup efforts were underway Wednesday after residents in the City of Industry said a parking lot full of abandoned RVs had been taken over by the homeless. Indio: Lookup Anyone's Home Value Instantly by Address (Take a Look) Those who work and live near the lot, which is located at Azusa and Gale avenues, said fires are a regular occurrence in the parking lot. The property manager, neighbors, and business owners say it's become a crime-ridden homeless encampment over the past two years. Massive homeless RV encampment cleared out A luxury RV lot that has been taken over by squatters and the homeless is starting to be cleaned out. Officials have given residents five days to get out. What they're saying: "Homelessness keeps increasing and increasing and increasing since I’ve been living here and it honestly just comes down to our politicians who are doing nothing about it," said Nissan employee Khaled Ghrewahti. Nissan employees use part of the parking lot for inventory overflow and they say they're fed up with the homeless stealing brand new car tires and gas from the tanks. "At night it’s kinda scary to go to our cars. Every morning the sheriff’s department drives through the lot and then they just leave, but they told us they can’t really do anything because it’s abandoned," said Nissan receptionist Kiki. RV lot taken over by homeless to be cleaned out Homeless squatters have taken over a luxury RV lot in Industry, but now officials say they expect to clear out the encampment soon.

The property manager told FOX 11 the man who bought 130 brand new campers just left them in the lot and hasn't paid rent in two years. Raymond Henderson works at a local meat market and stays in one of the RVs. He said the owner of the lot told him he could live in one of the trailers for $300 a month. "What they’re about to do is put everybody back out on the street and they don’t care. The city gets so much money to bring in to house these people. They don’t spend the money on that," Henderson said. Cleanup efforts begin What's Being Done : Cleanup efforts to begin at RV park Cleanup efforts were set to begin Wednesday after squatters took over a luxury RV park. The property manager said it's going to cost $80,000 to clean up the trash. Clean up efforts were underway on Wednesday, March 26. They hope to have everyone out within two days.

LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said the property owner won a court order to remove the occupants. An outreach team is helping them find housing. Solis released a statement saying in part, "The RV storage lot near Azusa and Gale is located within the boundaries of the City of Industry. Although the City does not own the site, this issue is a private dispute between the property owners and a private party. It is my understanding that on September 6, 2024, the property owner initiated legal proceedings to regain possession of the site. After completing the necessary legal steps, the owner recently obtained a judgment for possession.

I am aware that a writ of possession has been filed, a court order that authorizes the property owner to take legal action to remove anyone occupying the site. Once issued, it is expected that the property owners will take the appropriate steps to enforce it.The County of Los Angeles does not have jurisdiction over land use matters in incorporated cities like the City of Industry, but my office has been proactive in addressing concerns at the lot. Recently, I engaged the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) to conduct outreach, and they will be returning this week to continue their efforts."

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ THE BLUE COLUMN LONG BEACH POLICE CHASE The Los Angeles Police Department chased a car into Long Beach on Friday. The driver fled through the city on Del Amo Boulevard, sometimes traveling at high speeds and on the wrong side of the roadway. FOX11 Los Angeles reported the car was stolen. Helicopter footage showed the driver bail out of the car in a cul-de-sac in Cerritos around 12:50 p.m. Police chased him on foot for several blocks and took him into custody near Corby Avenue and Christy Street by Gridley Park. Long Beach police pull people from flaming car after fiery crash on 710 Freeway

THE BLUE COLUMN Fleeing suspects _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ crash into citizen’s vehicle during police pursuit An innocent driver was taken to the hospital when a group of suspects fleeing from officers crashed into another car earlier this week, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Police said the pursuit started around 11:18 p.m. Monday when officers tried to stop a vehicle near 15th Street and Locust Avenue. The driver sped off, and, “While in pursuit, the suspect vehicle collided with another vehicle,” the LBPD said in a statement. Support facts not fear News happens fast. In the midst of crime, disasters and other breaking news, the Long Beach Post has reporters and photographers who run to the scene to bring you reliable information. If you value this vital community resource, support it with a tax-deductible donation.

The fleeing vehicle eventually stopped near Long Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway where three people inside tried to run from police. Officers took one of the suspects to the ground during a foot pursuit and were also able to arrest a second suspect, according to the department. SWAT officers were called in to search for the third suspect near North Pasadena Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, but, “After conducting their search, they were unable to locate the outstanding suspect,” police said. Officers also found two guns in the car, police said. The bystander injured in the crash is expected to recover from injuries that weren’t life-threatening, police said. May 14, 2024

THE BLUE COLUMN Freeway Crash _____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ A 15-year-old boy was killed and three other teens were injured in a crash on the northbound 710 Freeway that police today said involved a stolen Kia Optima that collided with a big rig and caught fire. Officers were sent to the 100 block of Jaymills Avenue at about 10:10 p.m. Monday “regarding a stolen vehicle,” according to the Long Beach Police Department. “The calling party advised her Kia had been stolen, however, she located the vehicle and could see four occupants inside the car,” police said in a statement. “As officers were responding, the vehicle left the area.” The Long Beach Police Department’s helicopter began tracking the vehicle, but there were no officers in pursuit when the Kia crashed into a semi-truck on the 710 Freeway, police said.

“Officers were quickly on scene and pulled the four occupants from the stolen vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. Officers rendered medical aid until (Long Beach Fire Department personnel) transported all four occupants to local hospitals,” police said. The crash occurred on the northbound 710 Freeway near Anaheim Street according to the California Highway Patrol. Video footage at the scene showed LBPD officers dragging several people from the burning Kia and attempting to douse the flames with fire extinguishers before the arrival of LBFD personnel. Firefighters then knocked down the fire in the burning Kia, CHP Officer Erik Larsen told City News Service. Support facts not fear News happens fast.

In the midst of crime, disasters and other breaking news, the Long Beach Post has reporters and photographers who run to the scene to bring you reliable information. If you value this vital community resource, support it with a tax-deductible donation. The LBPD will be investigating any possible criminal charges related to the crash and the CHP will handle the traffic portion of the investigation, Larsen said. According to the CHP, the 2020 Kia was being driven by a 15-year-old Long Beach boy, who died at a hospital. His name was not immediately released. Also in the Kia were two girls, ages 13 and 15, both of Long Beach; and a 14-year-old boy from Los Angeles, according to the CHP, which reported that the three were taken to a hospital for treatment of “moderate” injuries.

The driver of the big rig was not injured, the CHP reported. “The preliminary investigation indicates a 15-year-old male of Long Beach, CA was driving a stolen 2020 Kia, transitioning from Shoreline Drive to northbound I-710 in the #2 lane,” a CHP statement said. “A 22-year-old male was driving a 2024 Freightliner in the #4 lane. As the Kia passed the Freightliner, the 15-year-old male turned sharply to the west — appeared to (be) trying to exit I-710 onto the Anaheim Street off-ramp — directly in front of the Freightliner tractor. The front of the Freightliner crashed into the right side of the stolen Kia. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash.” All lanes of the northbound freeway were closed for several hours while police conducted their investigation of the crash and looked for evidence related to the crash. Any witnesses or anyone with further information is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Gonzales at the South Los Angeles Area office, 424-551-4000; or the CHP Los Angeles Communications Center at 323-259- 3200.

“This tragic event highlights a nationwide trend in which juveniles are stealing vehicles and driving recklessly,” LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement. “While the driver of the vehicle ultimately succumbed to his injuries, I must commend the officers for their heroic actions. I am extremely proud of their courage and willingness to run toward this dangerous situation in order to rescue the occupants. I believe their actions prevented the further loss of life and demonstrates their commitment to public safety.”

THE BLUE COLUMN Atlantic Avenue _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Man wounded in shooting near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street, Long Beach police say Long Beach police are investigating a shooting that left a man wounded Sunday night. Police said they learned of the gunfire when the victim arrived at a local hospital around 7 p.m. He told officers he was near Atlantic Avenue and Market Street when he “heard noises and observed he was injured,” Long Beach police said in a statement posted on their website. “The man self-transported to the hospital.” Officers searched the area but couldn’t find evidence of a crime scene, police said. Police are still trying to gather information on any suspects or motive. _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________ THE BLUE COLUMN The Jury ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Jury convicts gunman of murdering 17-year-old Poly student as she walked home from work Ricardo Choza sits next to a memorial for his girlfriend, Briana Soto, during Poly/PAAL High School commencement ceremony at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, Thursday, June 13, 2024. Seventeen-year-old Briana Soto was just steps away from her Long Beach home when she was gunned down in March for no apparent reason. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova. A jury in Long Beach today found a man guilty of murder for shooting a 17-year-old Poly High School student to death for reasons that remain a mystery. Long Beach resident Troy Lamar Fox, 34, now faces over 100 years to life in prison at an upcoming sentencing hearing, according to prosecutors. Briana Soto, who was described as a cheerful and upbeat student, had just clocked out of her job at McDonald’s and was walking home when she was fatally shot near the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue at about 8:22 p.m. on March 26, 2024, prosecutors said. She was so close to home at the time that her mother heard the shots, according to police. Police said previously that it didn’t appear Fox had any prior relationship with Soto. He did not appear to interact with her at all before the shooting. Troy Lamar Fox. Courtesy the Long Beach Police Department.

During the trial, prosecutors did not present evidence of a potential motive for Soto’s killing. Fox’s conviction hinged on DNA evidence and an interrogation room identification from his ex-girlfriend. A senior criminologist testified during the trial that DNA collected from one of the four bullet casings at the murder scene returned a match for Fox. Homicide detectives also tried to track the suspected shooter’s movements by collecting video footage from around the scene, but they lost track of the shooter on video near 11th Street and Lime Avenue, where prosecutors say Fox’s girlfriend, Tyrisha Hawkins, lived at the time. Detectives arrested Hawkins on a weapons charge nearly six months after Soto’s killing. In an interview captured on video with detectives in September, Hawkins said the man shown in the security camera clips matched Fox’s walk and had on black, white and red Nike Jordan 11s, which Fox also owned at the time.

Hawkins also testified that Fox had access to her Nissan, which prosecutors allege Fox used to carry out a separate shooting in a parking lot near 14th Street and Pine Avenue on the morning of April 9, when Fox allegedly fired at, but missed, four teenagers as they drove away. Police said this man, right, shot 17-year-old Briana Soto, left, as she walked home from work on March 26, 2024. Photos courtesy the Long Beach Police Department. Prosecutors alleged that Fox fired 13 rounds during the April shooting. At the time of both shootings, Fox had a warrant out for his arrest dating back to November 2023, when he allegedly violated the terms of his conditional release related to a conviction of illegal weapons possession, police said.

On Friday, Fox was found guilty of one count of premeditated murder, four counts of attempted murder stemming from the separate shooting two weeks later and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. His history of convictions dates back to 2013 when he accepted a plea deal on one felony count of making criminal threats in Antelope Valley. Since then, Fox has also served time for grand theft in 2015 and 2017, felony burglary and grand theft in 2018 along with commercial burglary in 2019. Outside a hearing last October, Soto’s mother, Ana Morales, said in Spanish that she was only hoping for one thing: That justice be done for her, that is what I ask. Fox is due back in court for sentencing on June 9.

THE BLUE COLUMN 13 year old ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ LONG BEACH, Calif. (CNS) -- A man who kidnapped a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in Texas, then repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her to Long Beach, where she was rescued by waving a "help me'' note to passersby, was sentenced Friday to 35 years in federal prison. Steven Robert Sablan, 63, of Cleburne, Texas, pleaded guilty last year to kidnapping. According to federal prosecutors, the girl was walking in San Antonio on July 6, 2023, when Sablan pulled alongside her in a gray Nissan Sentra, pointed a gun at her and ordered her into the car. He drove away with the girl and asked how old she was, and she told him she was 13, prosecutors said. The girl also told him she had a friend in Australia, and Sablan allegedly told her that he could take her to a cruise ship so she could visit the friend, "but she had to do something for him first,'' prosecutors said. Sablan allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl and began driving her to California, sexually assaulting her at least two more times along the way, according to prosecutors.

On July 9, Sablan parked the car in Long Beach and went into a laundromat to wash their clothes, prosecutors said. While he was away, the girl -- still in the car -- wrote "Help Me'' on a note and showed it to people passing by, prompting one of them to call police. Responding officers found the girl, and she mouthed the word "help'' to them, according to prosecutors. Long Beach police located and arrested Sablan. Officers searching the suspect's car found the girl's "help me'' note, as well as a black BB gun and a pair of handcuffs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said the girl had been reported as a runaway in San Antonio.

THE BLUE COLUMN VANESSA WESTSIDE SHOOTING ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ SPRING LAKE, N.C. (WTVD) -- New search warrants in the abduction of a 15-year-old girl in Harnett County last month reveal conversations between the teen and one of her alleged abductors on social media. Two men, Elihue Mahler, 31, of Virginia Beach, and Austyn Lee Cole, 23, of Kitty Hawk, are facing human trafficking and kidnapping charges after the teen went missing from her home near Spring Lake in February, prompting a statewide AMBER Alert. Documents show that the teen told her mom she needed to go outside to get a water bottle from their car, however, a conversation using Instagram's direct messaging system shows she was making plans to meet up with a person with the username "rich_mf_ez", which belonged to Mahler, according to search warrants. On Feb. 25, the account messaged the girl "Yo" and "Where you at." After the teen responded, "rich_mf_ez" instructed her multiple times to delete all of the messages before leaving.

He then told her "Look in like 12 minutes go ahead and sneak out and start walking down the street." The teen was eventually found safe with Mahler and Cole in Dare County more than 100 miles from home. During the search, the girl's mother told investigators her daughter's phone had parental controls that prevented her from downloading social media apps. But the teen had a tablet, which was missing from the scene, without those controls.

According to authorities, Mahler has a lengthy criminal history in Virginia, including fleeing to elude and assault on a law enforcement officer, while Cole's history is not as "substantial." Both men were considered flight risks and the judge increased their bonds to $5 million each in Harnett County. They face charges of felony human trafficking of a child victim, felony kidnapping, felony conspiracy to kidnap, and felony conspiracy, human trafficking. Two suspects have been charged in an AMBER Alert that involved a 15-year-old Harnett County girl.

Social media dangers ABC11 spoke with Laura Tierney, the Founder and CEO of The Social Institute in Durham - whose mission is to help parents and kids navigate technology and channel it for good. "You are who you surround yourself with," Tierney said. "And so I always tell the students, avoid anonymous platforms and sites that can easily surround you with strangers." Tierney said that traffickers have become more adept at reaching kids, utilizing new social media platforms and even online gaming to get in contact with potential victims. She said that nowadays, it's much more likely an online threat will try to build a relationship with a potential victim over time. "Unfortunately, traffickers have gotten even more sophisticated in how they approach people, especially young people. And one major trend that they often do is try to just build trust over time," she said.

While the warrants from last week's kidnapping underscore the potential risks for kids of interacting with strangers online, Tierney said there are warning signs for potentially illicit interactions that parents can look out for. "If your child doesn't want you to see their screen, like if they're quickly closing tabs or, you know, changing what's on their screen or even angling their device that way. And also if they start pulling back more than usual. So if they're spending more time alone or avoiding family activities," Tierney said. Tierney added that there are powerful built-in settings families can use, like making all accounts private and turning off location sharing on different apps. She said young people should be sensitive to any attempts to extract personal information. Teen girl speaks out after attempted abduction in South Miami miami

THE BLUE COLUMN 16 year old __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Updated on: February 21, 2025 / 5:37 PM EST / CBS Miami A 16-year-old girl is speaking out after she was attacked and nearly abducted while walking in her South Miami neighborhood early Thursday morning. "I didn't want him to do anything to me. I just wanted to get out of there," the victim said. According to police, Brian Gamboa, a South Miami resident originally from New York, got out of his car around 11 p.m. and tried to force the teen inside. But she fought back. "I started screaming and punching him" "A guy came out of the car. He approached me and started attacking me by my shoulders and the back of my head," the victim recalled. "I fought back - I threw my phone at him, I started kicking him, I started screaming, I started punching him." The struggle escalated when Gamboa pushed her to the ground. "When he pushed me, I dragged him down with me. Then I kicked him in the crotch and the head and ran off. I screamed for help at a neighbor's door," she said. Gamboa fled the scene and surveillance video later captured him involved in a hit-and-run crash in a South Miami restaurant parking lot. Police took him into custody shortly afterward.

Suspect in custody, investigation continues The victim later identified Gamboa, who is now facing charges. His bond was set at $30,000 and he remains in custody awaiting an ankle monitor. Police said he has prior offenses, including possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license. "It's very scary. I'm trying to get over it," the victim said. "Hopefully, he goes to jail for a very long time. I don't think this man should ever be on the street again." As the investigation continues, police are looking for other possible victims. The teen has one message for others: "Always fight back, no matter how scary the situation is and always scream for help."

THE BLUE COLUMNVANESSA KIDNAPPING ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- A 59-year-old man was taken into custody Wednesday in connection with the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl in Long Beach that prompted an Amber Alert. "The subject has been located," the CHP said in an update on X shortly after 5:30 p.m. The alert was initially sent out before 4:30 p.m. in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties, and was canceled about an hour later. The Inglewood Police Department told Eyewitness News that the suspect, Edward Mason, was taken into custody in the Garden Grove area. No further details were released. The teen, Nevaeh Holden, was found safe at a relative's home, police said. The incident remains under investigation.

THE BLUE COLUMN North Carolina Kidnapping ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ SILER CITY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two men are facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges in the case of a missing teen from Siler City. On February 21, Siler City Police Department got a report of a missing 15-year-old. State Bureau of Investigation agents were able to obtain, through electronic surveillance, that the victim had been abducted. That new information allowed police to request a statewide AMBER Alert. Two suspects were quickly identified. Ronny Suarez and the 15-year-old teen were located at West Strider Street in Asheboro. The other suspect, Saul Ramirez Guvara, was located at a Quality Inn in Kinston. Both suspects were taken into custody on charges including first-degree kidnapping, human trafficking of a child, and several other charges. Harnett County Teen Found, 2 Arrested

This is the second arrest in central North Carolina involving teen girls, AMBER Alerts that led to the arrest of suspects for kidnapping and trafficking charges. In an unrelated case, on Thursday, the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, the NC SBI and FBI arrest two men after an alert was issued for a 15-year-old. She was located in Dare County, N.C. Elihue Martin Mahler, 31, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and 23-year-old Austyn Lee Cole of Kitty Hawk, face charges of felony human trafficking of a child victim, felony kidnapping, felony conspiracy to kidnap, and felony conspiracy, human trafficking. The FBI warned parents to monitor their children's social media activity.

Concerns about human trafficking arise following 2 AMBER Alerts The common threads in the two cases in Chatham and Harnett counties is raising alarm bells for experts like Judy Paparozzi, who teaches at UNC Pembroke after decades fighting human trafficking. "12 to 15 is a target age group. The traffickers are online trolling. That guy may have worked on this girl if that was the person she was online with, he may have spent a year trying to groom her, to trust him and consider her for her to consider that he's the best thing in the world like someone... she's in love with and so forth," Paparozzi said. According to the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center, an estimated 89 percent of sexual advances directed at children occur in Internet chatrooms or through instant messaging. It's proof Paparozzi says that shows that the trafficking industry is becoming more tech savvy and more lucrative as victims are being sold for sexual gratification. "The profits are enormous that the trafficker can earn a quarter of a million a year on one girl and the risk of prosecution is low because how do you recognize a human trafficking victim? She's so afraid of her trafficker, even if the police pulled over her car, how would they recognize her as not his niece or his daughter," she said.

THE BLUE COLUMN WATERTOWN ____________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ , New York (WWNY) - A teenager from Georgia is accused of abducting a girl from Watertown for sexual purposes. City police arrested 18-year-old Keller Singleton of Rome, Georgia on a felony count of first-degree kidnapping. Police said a 13-year-old girl had been reported missing from Watertown on January 6. Officials said their investigation led them to Singleton, who allegedly used social media to help the girl run away. They said Singleton planned to bring the girl to his home in Georgia for sexual purposes.

According to police, Singleton abandoned the girl at a restaurant in Marion, Virginia the next day. She called the police. Virginia State Police took Singleton into custody in the nearby community of Chilhowie. According to court documents, Singleton allegedly picked up the girl at the Burger King on State Street on the morning of January 6. The papers also allege Singleton sent messages through the social media app Snapchat showing his intent to sexually abuse the girl. Singleton was extradited to Watertown and arraigned. He’s being held in the Jefferson County Jail. More charges are possible pending grand jury action.

“We strongly encourage parents to monitor their children’s online activity and social media usage for the potential harm that can be caused by people the children may encounter on the internet,” city police said in a news release. Watertown police were assisted by the Jefferson County Emergency Management Dispatch Center, the New York State Police, the North Country Crime Analysis Center, the Virginia State Police, the New York State Missing Person’s Clearinghouse, and the FBI.

THE BLUE COLUMN HOMELESS BALLAST POINT __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ The Brief An abandoned RV parking lot has been taken over by squatters. Those who live and work nearby say they see several RV fires and crime occurring regularly. Clean-up efforts will begin March 26 after the property owner won a court order to remove the occupants.

THE BLUE COLUMN LOS ANGELES - Cleanup _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ efforts were underway Wednesday after residents in the City of Industry said a parking lot full of abandoned RVs had been taken over by the homeless. Indio: Lookup Anyone's Home Value Instantly by Address (Take a Look) Those who work and live near the lot, which is located at Azusa and Gale avenues, said fires are a regular occurrence in the parking lot. The property manager, neighbors, and business owners say it's become a crime-ridden homeless encampment over the past two years. Massive homeless RV encampment cleared out A luxury RV lot that has been taken over by squatters and the homeless is starting to be cleaned out. Officials have given residents five days to get out.

What they're saying: "Homelessness keeps increasing and increasing and increasing since I’ve been living here and it honestly just comes down to our politicians who are doing nothing about it," said Nissan employee Khaled Ghrewahti. Nissan employees use part of the parking lot for inventory overflow and they say they're fed up with the homeless stealing brand new car tires and gas from the tanks. "At night it’s kinda scary to go to our cars. Every morning the sheriff’s department drives through the lot and then they just leave, but they told us they can’t really do anything because it’s abandoned," said Nissan receptionist Kiki.

RV lot taken over by homeless to be cleaned out Homeless squatters have taken over a luxury RV lot in Industry, but now officials say they expect to clear out the encampment soon. The property manager told FOX 11 the man who bought 130 brand new campers just left them in the lot and hasn't paid rent in two years. Raymond Henderson works at a local meat market and stays in one of the RVs. He said the owner of the lot told him he could live in one of the trailers for $300 a month. "What they’re about to do is put everybody back out on the street and they don’t care. The city gets so much money to bring in to house these people. They don’t spend the money on that," Henderson said.

Cleanup efforts begin What's Being Done : Cleanup efforts to begin at RV park Cleanup efforts were set to begin Wednesday after squatters took over a luxury RV park. The property manager said it's going to cost $80,000 to clean up the trash. Clean up efforts were underway on Wednesday, March 26. They hope to have everyone out within two days.

LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said the property owner won a court order to remove the occupants. An outreach team is helping them find housing. Solis released a statement saying in part, "The RV storage lot near Azusa and Gale is located within the boundaries of the City of Industry. Although the City does not own the site, this issue is a private dispute between the property owners and a private party. It is my understanding that on September 6, 2024, the property owner initiated legal proceedings to regain possession of the site. After completing the necessary legal steps, the owner recently obtained a judgment for possession.

I am aware that a writ of possession has been filed — a court order that authorizes the property owner to take legal action to remove anyone occupying the site. Once issued, it is expected that the property owners will take the appropriate steps to enforce it.The County of Los Angeles does not have jurisdiction over land use matters in incorporated cities like the City of Industry, but my office has been proactive in addressing concerns at the lot. Recently, I engaged the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Ser vices Team (HOST) to conduct outreach, and they will be returning this week to continue their efforts."

THE BLUE COLUMN BELMONT SHORE CAR BOMB _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Stolen truck collides with vehicles during California police chase A man was taken into custody after crashing into 13 vehicles while trying to evade police in Long Beach, California on Friday. Aerial footage shows the suspect speeding into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with multiple vehicles, before crashing into the car park of a paint shop. Motorist Ricardo Colindes told CBS News he was dropping off parts when his work truck was stolen by the suspect. At least one officer was injured in the incident, according to local media. No serious injuries were reported.

The Los Angeles Police Department chased a car into Long Beach on Friday. The driver fled through the city on Del Amo Boulevard, sometimes traveling at high speeds and on the wrong side of the roadway. FOX11 Los Angeles reported the car was stolen. Helicopter footage showed the driver bail out of the car in a cul-de-sac in Cerritos around 12:50 p.m. Police chased him on foot for several blocks and took him into custody near Corby Avenue and Christy Street by Gridley Park.

THE BLUE COLUMN LONG BEACH POLICE CHASE __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ The Los Angeles Police Department chased a car into Long Beach on Friday. The driver fled through the city on Del Amo Boulevard, sometimes traveling at high speeds and on the wrong side of the roadway. FOX11 Los Angeles reported the car was stolen. Helicopter footage showed the driver bail out of the car in a culdesac in Cerritos around 12:50 p.m. Police chased him on foot for several blocks and took him into custody near Corby Avenue and Christy Street by Gridley Park. Long Beach police pull people from flaming car after fiery crash on 710 Freeway

THE BLUE COLUMN A 15-year-old _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ boy was killed and three other teens were injured in a crash on the northbound 710 Freeway that police today said involved a stolen Kia Optima that collided with a big rig and caught fire. Officers were sent to the 100 block of Jaymills Avenue at about 10:10 p.m. Monday “regarding a stolen vehicle,” according to the Long Beach Police Department. “The calling party advised her Kia had been stolen, however, she located the vehicle and could see four occupants inside the car,” police said in a statement. “As officers were responding, the vehicle left the area.” The Long Beach Police Department’s helicopter began tracking the vehicle, but there were no officers in pursuit when the Kia crashed into a semi-truck on the 710 Freeway, police said. “Officers were quickly on scene and pulled the four occupants from the stolen vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. Officers rendered medical aid until (Long Beach Fire Department personnel) transported all four occupants to local hospitals,” police said.

The crash occurred on the northbound 710 Freeway near Anaheim Street according to the California Highway Patrol. Video footage at the scene showed LBPD officers dragging several people from the burning Kia and attempting to douse the flames with fire extinguishers before the arrival of LBFD personnel. Firefighters then knocked down the fire in the burning Kia, CHP Officer Erik Larsen told City News Service. News happens fast. In the midst of crime, disasters and other breaking news, the Long Beach Post has reporters and photographers who run to the scene to bring you reliable information. If you value this vital community resource, support it with a tax-deductible donation.

The LBPD will be investigating any possible criminal charges related to the crash and the CHP will handle the traffic portion of the investigation, Larsen said. According to the CHP, the 2020 Kia was being driven by a 15-year-old Long Beach boy, who died at a hospital. His name was not immediately released. Also in the Kia were two girls, ages 13 and 15, both of Long Beach; and a 14-year-old boy from Los Angeles, according to the CHP, which reported that the three were taken to a hospital for treatment of “moderate” injuries. The driver of the big rig was not injured, the CHP reported. “The preliminary investigation indicates a 15-year-old male of Long Beach, CA was driving a stolen 2020 Kia, transitioning from Shoreline Drive to northbound I-710 in the #2 lane,” a CHP statement said. “A 22-year-old male was driving a 2024 Freightliner in the #4 lane. As the Kia passed the Freightliner, the 15-year-old male turned sharply to the west — appeared to (be) trying to exit I-710 onto the Anaheim Street off-ramp — directly in front of the Freightliner tractor. The front of the Freightliner crashed into the right side of the stolen Kia. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash.”

All lanes of the northbound freeway were closed for several hours while police conducted their investigation of the crash and looked for evidence related to the crash. Any witnesses or anyone with further information is encouraged to contact CHP Officer Gonzales at the South Los Angeles Area office, 424-551-4000; or the CHP Los Angeles Communications Center at 323-259- 3200.

“This tragic event highlights a nationwide trend in which juveniles are stealing vehicles and driving recklessly,” LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement. “While the driver of the vehicle ultimately succumbed to his injuries, I must commend the officers for their heroic actions. I am extremely proud of their courage and willingness to run toward this dangerous situation in order to rescue the occupants. I believe their actions prevented the further loss of life and demonstrates their commitment to public safety.”

BLUE COLUMN Fleeing suspects ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ crash into citizen’s vehicle during police pursuit An innocent driver was taken to the hospital when a group of suspects fleeing from officers crashed into another car earlier this week, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Police said the pursuit started around 11:18 p.m. Monday when officers tried to stop a vehicle near 15th Street and Locust Avenue. The driver sped off, and, “While in pursuit, the suspect vehicle collided with another vehicle,” the LBPD said in a statement. Support facts not fear News happens fast. In the midst of crime, disasters and other breaking news, the Long Beach Post has reporters and photographers who run to the scene to bring you reliable information. If you value this vital community resource, support it with a tax-deductible donation.

The fleeing vehicle eventually stopped near Long Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway where three people inside tried to run from police. Officers took one of the suspects to the ground during a foot pursuit and were also able to arrest a second suspect, according to the department. SWAT officers were called in to search for the third suspect near North Pasadena Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, but, “After conducting their search, they were unable to locate the outstanding suspect,” police said. Officers also found two guns in the car, police said. The bystander injured in the crash is expected to recover from injuries that weren’t life-threatening, police said.

THE BLUE COLUMN GINO BARTOLI __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Attempted Murder of By Mike Colonna On the evening of March 31, 1985, GINO BARTOLI was at his home on Vista Street in Long Beach with his 13-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. BARTOLI was not expecting any visitors and was in the shower at some point between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., when his son told him someone at the door wanted to see him. BARTOLI got out of the shower, put on shorts and a T-shirt, and headed to the front door, where HALVERSON was standing. BARTOLI, who had not known that HALVERSON knew where he lived, was surprised to see him and told him to wait while he dressed. BARTOLI did not know why HALVERSON had come to his home, but thought perhaps HALVERSON wanted to borrow money or arrange a business transaction.

BARTOLI walked toward his bedroom, but then felt “strange” and turned around. HALVERSON, who had not said anything, was standing about five to six feet behind him. When BARTOLI asked what he was doing, HALVERSON raised a gun and said: “You're dead, GINO, you're dead.” As BARTOLI asked why, HALVERSON shot him in the left side of his upper chest from a distance of less than three feet. The shot knocked BARTOLI backward two or three feet into the wall. BARTOLI screamed for his children to leave the house and was grabbing for HALVERSON when HALVRSON fired a second shot, hitting BARTOLI under right shoulder. BARTOLI, who was six feet five inches tall and weighed about 270 pounds, pushed HALVERSON backward into a china cabinet in the dining room, smashing a glass pane. HALVERSON and BARTOLI lay on the broke glass.

BARTOLI pinned HALVERSON down by the throat and grabbed HALVERSON’S gun with his left hand. BARTOLI pulled the trigger two or three times but the gun did not fire, so GINO let go of the gun. BARTOLI grabbed a piece of broken glass and cut BARTOLI’S throat. HALVERSON screamed, “you got me, GINO. I’m dead, I’m dead.’ Believing he had killed HALVERSON, BARTOLI managed to crawl to the front door of the house, across the lawn, and to the sidewalk, where paramedics treated him. BARTOLI later was admitted to the hospital and underwent surgery. HALVERSON, bleeding escaped through the back door. The search began.

The Battle of Berlin resulted in the surrender of the German army and the death of Adolf Hitler (by suicide). It was a resounding victory for the Soviet Union and the Allies. The battle took its toll on both sides, however. ... The city of Berlin was reduced to rubble and around 22,000 German civilians were killed.Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany, was subject to 363 air raids during the Second World War.
The Amber Room began its life in 1701, when it was designed by the German architect Andreas Schlüter, and construction on the ornate wall panels was begun at the Charlottenburg Palace in Prussia, which was the residence of the first King of Prussia, Friedrich I. The King’s wife at the time, Sophie Charlotte, had requested it be erected within the palace. The room was actually mostly built by an amber specialist by the name of Gottfried Wolfram, of the Royal Court of Denmark. Wolfram worked on the room until 1707, after which the two amber masters Gottfried Turau and Ernst Schacht continued construction and completed it in 1709.

The room was one of the most amazing masterpieces of 18th century craftsmanship and artistry, and must surely have been a spectacle to behold. Upon the walls of the room were enormous panels fashioned from tons of the purest Danish amber, which was encrusted with various gemstones and inlaid with gold. Upon these sweeping panels of gold and gem-covered amber were installed ornate mirrors on gold fittings that were meticulously decorated with more gold and pieces of amber, as well as jewel emblazoned mosaics trimmed with even more gold. The overall impression was of a shimmering room completely made of gold and amber that was said to blaze into a fiery brilliance when lit up by the room’s 565 candles. It was purportedly such an awe-inspiring site that it was often referred to as “The 8th Wonder of the World.”

In subsequent years more gold, amber, and gems were brought in, and when renovations were eventually completed, The Amber Room consisted of around 6 tons of amber and gems, was 17 meters (55.8 feet ) in length, and covered around 55 square meters with glittering beauty. It has been estimated by historians as having a total value of around 150 million dollars in today’s money. Truly this must have been one of the most breathtaking works of art in human history. The Amber Room was passed down to subsequent rulers in Russia, for whom it remained a priceless showcase of the palace and a source of pride until 1941, when WWII brought with it hordes of hostile Germans looking to loot and kill.