Help to Identify Suspect for the Death of a Metro Passenger https://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Post_Metro-suspect-806x1024.jpeg8061024SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Detectives and Family Members Need the Public’s Help to Identify a Suspect Responsible for the Death of a Metro Blue Line Passenger
On Friday, September 9, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detectives and Oscar Ayala’s family members asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for his death.
On Sunday, March 13, 2022, Oscar Ayala was riding the south-bound Blue Line train at about 5:55 p.m. The suspect was riding the same train. Both the victim and the suspect exited the train at the Compton Blue Line Station. There is no indication that they knew each other but as they walked towards the exit, they appeared to be talking. Just beyond the station turnstiles, the suspect assaulted Oscar who fell to the ground. The suspect then rifled through the victim’s pockets, took his cellphone and walked away northbound from the train station.
Compton Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Oscar to the hospital where several days later he succumbed to his injuries.
Oscar was a native of South Los Angeles and grew up near the Los Angeles Coliseum. Two years prior to his death, he moved to Compton. He was passionate about soccer and practiced the sport with his dad since he was a little boy. He graduated from Manual Arts Senior High School in Los Angeles and then attended California State University, Northridge where he majored in Botany. Oscar’s love of his life was his one-year-old boy.
“He can hurt someone else the same way he hurt my boy, that’s why my family is asking for the public’s help to find this man so he doesn’t hurt others and my boy can rest in peace because he is also asking for help to find the man that took his life. The day of his funeral… so many people went, so many people knew him, he had so many friends, he was a good boy,” sobbed Oscar’s mom, Maria Ayala.
Investigators have exhausted all leads in trying to determine the suspect’s identity and are asking for the public’s help to identify him. Anyone with information is urged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Homicide Detectives Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivashttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Post-Rojas-main-1024x633.jpeg1024633SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Homicide Detectives will Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas; $20,000 Reward Offered
Homicide Bureau detectives will release new information they received via anonymous tip about the murder of Danah Rojo-Rivas. They will also release a picture of what they believe to be the actual suspect vehicle. On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas was in the backseat of her mother’s car, leaving a church function when suspects were chasing unrelated persons in a vehicle. The intended target exited his vehicle and fled south across Euclid Avenue in the City of Lynwood. The suspect fired several times, missing his target, but striking the car Danah was in. Danah was fatally wounded during the shooting. Homicide Detectives and deputies will go door to door in the neighborhood passing out flyers with a picture of what they believe to be the actual suspect vehicle.
Press Conference
Information wanted posters
$20,000 reward. Information Wanted. The suspects were last seen in a silver Ford Taurus.
$20,000 reward. Information wanted. Victim Danah Rojos-Rivas.
LASD Air Rescue 5 Save a Man And His Doghttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Post_Rescue_5_main-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
The Guardians of the Sky – LASD Air Rescue 5 Save a Man and his Dog.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Services Detail, also known as Air Rescue 5, rescued a hiker and his beloved dog after the hiker was unable to traverse the trail in the Mount Wilson area.
On August 8, 2022, at approximately 1:30 pm, Air Rescue 5 received a call for service regarding a hiker and his dog who fell 200 feet over the side of the trail near Mount Wilson.
The Air 5 crew responded to the area of the call and located Mr. Dave Santonil and his dog Bubba, who were approximately 200 feet over the side of the Mount Wilson Trail. Mr. Santonil and his dog were standing on a small shelf of soil that protruded from the vertical mountainside and had a very steep drop. Based on Mr. Santonil and his dog’s difficult position, Air Rescue 5 assessed the situation and devised a rescue plan.
The Air Rescue pilots maneuvered the aircraft in the canyon and placed it where the helicopter’s rotors would not blow Mr. Santonil and his dog from their fragile position. With the assistance of his partners, Deputy Belleville using rappelling equipment was lowered from the helicopter to where Mr. Santonil and his dog were. He managed to secure Mr. Santonil & his dog safely and hoisted them up into safety.
Hiker and his dog are sitting in the door of the Helicopter.
“There are dangers in the trails. We have the nation’s largest county, and we have the nation’s largest playground right next to the largest population. So, the mixture of those two leads the crew of Air Rescue 5 to be very busy during the summer months, during the winter months and pretty much all year long.” Sheriff Villanueva stated during the press conference.
LASD’s Air Rescue five motto is “Saving Lives Priority One.” Another incredible rescue from the guardians of the sky.
LASD continues to remind hikers of the dangers of hiking alone and with pets. Have a hiking plan and tell someone your plan. Visit LASD.org for more hiking tips at https://lasd.org/hiking-tips/
LASD’s Special Enforcement Bureau: Emergency Services Detail (SEB/ESD) is a highly trained multi-mission bureau. SEB/ESD deputies operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to their tactical operations, all SEB/ESD deputies are certified, paramedics and rescue divers. They are responsible for coordinating and participating in mountain search & rescue, underwater search & rescue, and swift water & flood rescue operations for the Sheriff’s Department. They staff the Air Rescue 5 Helicopter and the Ocean Rescue Boat and accompany the Special Weapons Teams on all operations.
Department Officials Discuss the Civilian Oversight commission’s Hearing on Deputy Subgroups and Cliques within the Sheriff’s Department
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco and Chief April Tardy discussed developments and actions taken on alleged deputy subgroups and cliques within the Sheriff’s Department in response to allegations made by the Chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission, Sean Kennedy.
In a news interview last week, Chair Sean Kennedy made the following statement: “It is time to hear from the Sheriff and Undersheriff Murakami and the other LASD officials who have the authority to address deputy gangs, but it appears have done nothing to do so.”
His statement could not be further from the truth. Sheriff Villanueva has addressed and taken various steps to address the problem, build community trust, and counter the false narrative broadcasted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Civilian Oversight Commission (COC). Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco presented factual evidence of Sheriff Villanueva’s steps to address deputy subgroups and cliques.
On his very first day as the Sheriff, Villanueva removed the captain of the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station and replaced the entire command staff. Throughout 2019, 36 East Los Angeles Deputies were transferred to other stations, four were terminated, and 22 that were part of the Kennedy Hall investigation were suspended without pay.
In February of 2020, Sheriff Villanueva successfully implemented a department policy that prohibits employees from participating in any clique or subgroup that promotes conduct that violates the rights of other employees or members of the public, the first sheriff in the department’s history to do so. Department training videos on the topic were created and distributed, personnel viewed these training materials, and mandatory briefings regarding cliques were conducted.
Additionally, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored AB 958 legislation for Peace Officer Cliques with Assembly Member Mike Gipson; AB958 was signed into law on October 2021. The legislation is intended to tackle the issue of “gangs” among peace officers that might undermine the professional standards of policing among California’s law enforcement agencies.
In August 2020, the Kennedy Hall investigation was completed, and Sheriff Villanueva held a press conference to announce the investigation results, including the termination and suspension of the deputies involved. In September 2020, Sheriff Villanueva sent a message to all personnel requesting their participation in the RAND Corporation study on deputy subgroups. Deputies were encouraged to complete the anonymous survey.
In March 2021, a subgroups and cliques policy re-briefing email was sent to department members, including a reminder that all employees would be held accountable for any policy violation. Unit commanders had their personnel sign a copy of the policy stating that they read and understood it.
In February 2022, the department created a portal on the department’s website so that the public could report any evidence of deputy gangs or employee misconduct in the department (https://lasd.org/report-employee-misconduct/).
After Assistant Sheriff Francisco outlined the Sheriff’s actions to dispel rumors of inaction, Chief April Tardy spoke about her experience implementing all the subgroup policies to encourage compliance. “In addition, we’re holding our supervisors accountable to monitor the workplace and encourage our deputies to continue to work hard, rebuild our community relationships and make good decisions,” said Chief April Tardy.
“Our goal today was to truly show the amount of work we have done and negate the headlines that the Sheriff and the department have done nothing regarding the deputy subgroups and cliques. I think you can see that this is the farthest from the truth,” said Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco.
Contrary to what the media or some politicians claim, many policies have been implemented regarding deputy subgroups and cliques so the community can trust that law enforcement and personnel are held accountable.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva is the FIRST Los Angeles County Sheriff to successfully implement a policy banning “deputy cliques.” The policy went into effect.
Sheriff and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980shttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Post_Homicide_Cold_Case_PC_Main-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980’s
On Sunday, October 13, 1985, Victim David R. Evans was brutally beaten to death inside his residence in Claremont, CA. His body was discovered by Claremont Police Officers when neighbors called to report a possible burglary. At the time of the murder, the 57-year-old victim was the Vice President at Pomona First Federal Bank and former Pomona Unified School District Superintendent. David was divorced and lived by himself. In 1985, the investigation had few leads, and no suspects were identified.
In 2006, advancements in forensic technology prompted investigators to re-analyze evidence discovered at the scene of the crime. The analysis led to the identification of Hillery Marcus Dupleasis as a person of interest. Over the next several years, the ongoing investigation failed to further implicate Dupleasis to the case. Investigators were also unable to establish that Dupleasis resided in California at the time of the crime.
In 2020, Detectives Shaun McCarthy and Bill Marsh re-investigated the case with the help of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Services Bureau and they were able to link Dupleasis, a person of interest identified in 2006, as the suspect in the murder of David Evans.
Investigators were able to definitively determine Dupleasis lived in the San Gabriel Valley during the time of the murder and were also able to link Dupleases to the Victim’s 1980 Chevrolet Monza that was stolen immediately after his murder and abandoned in Covina, approximately two hours later.
Dupleasis is currently incarcerated in a New York State Prison, serving an extensive sentence for an unrelated murder. He will be eligible for parole in that case, in 2033.
On May 2, 2022, 1stdegree murder charges were filed against Dupleasis by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The 36-year-old cold case murder was solved by detectives assigned to the Homicide Bureau’s Unsolved Unit. Detectives worked closely with investigators from the Claremont Police Department, New York State Police, and the New York Department of Corrections.
It is never too late to provide information that will assist detectives solve a case. If someone knows something about a crime, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. They can also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or use their smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Help solve the Murder of Danah Rojo-Rivas Reward Offeredhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_0016-1024x768.jpg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Homicide Detectives and Victim’s mother ask for the Public’s Help in Solving the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas; $20,000 Reward Offered
On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, a mother was driving her two children home from a church function when suddenly, their lives changed forever. 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas was shot to death.
Danah was the backseat passenger in a car driven by her mother. Her brother Ethan sat in the front passenger seat. The family was heading home from a church function the day before Thanksgiving. As they traveled through the city of Lynwood, they waited for the light to turn green on Euclid Avenue at the intersection with Long Beach Boulevard. The family was unaware of a car chase happening right behind them.
The intended targets of the shooting were being chased by a light-colored 4-door sedan occupied by three people. One of the intended targets exited his vehicle and ran behind the Rojo-Rivas car to avoid being hit by bullets. As the intended target ran, the shooter tracked him with a succession of gunfire from a handgun, and a bullet entered the Rojo-Rivas car, striking Danah in the upper torso and fatally wounding her.
Danah loved sports and animals –especially dogs. She played softball and was working toward becoming a volunteer at an animal shelter. At the shooting, Danah’s dog “Luna” was with her in the car. In the confusion after the shooting, when the door was opened to pull Danah from the vehicle, the frightened dog ran out and was hit and killed by a passing car, adding heartache to heartbreak for the grieving family.
On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Danah’s mother made a plea to the public to come forward and help identify the suspect who killed Danah.
“I’m a single mom. My son and my daughter were always with me all the time. My hands were always busy with the hands of my little kids. When that happened that night, and we were taken to the police station, my sister picked me up at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, and I was in denial. And when I went out, I was holding my son’s hand and my other hand… I didn’t have my daughter in my other hand, I realized that it was true. Since then, my hand always feels empty, ‘cause she is not here,” said a sobbing Sandra Rivas, Danah’s mother.
To encourage witnesses to come forward, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors extended the $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for Danah’s death. The reward is sponsored by 4th District LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Unfortunately, Supervisor Hahn was not able to attend the press conference but sent a message to the community: “Danah’s family is still heartbroken and looking for answers. If you know anything about this terrible crime and who may be responsible for Danah’s death, I urge you to come forward.”
There were many witnesses to this murder, and some have come forward. Investigators have enhanced some surveillance video and have determined specific features that match witness and anonymous tipster’s statements.
Investigators also received information from an anonymous tipster who witnessed the shooting up close. Detectives are asking that person to contact Homicide investigators for a follow up interview. Investigators also believe there were other possibly related shootings in the area before and after Danah’s murder.
If you have information about this case, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may call “L.A. Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google Play or the App Store or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva announcesLASD Operation Safe Travel
Within the last six months, there have been several crimes in the Metro system including people pushed on train tracks, unprovoked attacks on passengers by homeless individuals. Sexual assaults on female passengers, and a patron intentionally set on fire while riding the train have also been reported. Several of these crimes resulted in fatalities.
According to Metro, approximately 5700 homeless people live on the train system and on the Metro platforms. This has created an enormous problem for those whose only transportation option is the train system.
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to announce a new initiative to keep the public safe while they ride the Metro system.
“The biggest problem we have right now on the entire transit system, is we have a homeless population that are living on the train system and on the platforms. And the intersection of that, and the people that are actually using the trains for their intended purpose, for travel, is colliding and it’s colliding with deadly results,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
To halt the grave problem and to ensure the safety of Metro passengers, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is launching Operation Safe Travel. This will be a multi-layered approach to conduct targeted operations along the train system. The goal of the operation will be the safety of commuters by having high law enforcement visibility and the removal of homeless individuals from trains and platforms through homeless outreach and early intervention. Right now, security officers request assistance from deputies when a situation is out of their control and sometimes that intervention comes late. With early intervention, deputies can interact with an individual showing distress so that the situation does not escalate.
Resources for the operation will include members of various units and bureaus from the LASD including the Sheriff’s Response Team, Community Oriented Policing Services, Homeless Outreach Services Team, Transportation Services Bureau Special Assignment Team, Mounted Enforcement Detail, Narcotics Bureau, Operation Safe Streets, Human Trafficking Detail and other units and bureaus from the Sheriff’s Department.
Operation Safe Travel will begin on June 1st, 2022, and the first step of the multi-layer approach will be to remove individuals living on the transit system. LASD wants train commuters to see the difference and feel safe while using the Metro.
Train commuters and riders are encouraged to call this number to report any Metro non-emergency concerns: (213) 229-2298.
Homicide Detectives ask for the Publics Help in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr.https://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pic-4-791x1024.jpg7911024SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e9436752ea0e7aecd9faa96b048e0f50?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Homicide Detectives and Family Members will ask for the Public’s Help for Information in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr.
On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Homicide Bureau Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) held a press conference to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Reginald Thompson Sr. The reward is sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.
On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, a little before 9:00 p.m., 34-year-old Reginald Thompson, Sr. was talking to friends in the parking lot of a shopping center, located in the 11400 block of South Vermont Ave., in the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and Vermont Avenue, in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles. As they were talking, four suspects parked their vehicle on Vermont Avenue just south of the shopping center. The suspects exited a dark-colored sedan, approached and fired several times at Thompson and his friends. Thompson was struck by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The suspects fled the location in the vehicle and headed south on Vermont Ave.
“My son was a father, he was a brother, he was a friend. He was fun, he was loving, and he did not deserve to be tragically struck. This could be anybody standing here, and I don’t want to see other mothers suffer the pain and sorrow that I’ve had to endure from my family. We are devastated and if you saw something, please say something,” said Reginald’s mom, Caren Stephens.
On April 19, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a reward in the amount of $20,000 in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of those responsible for the death of Reginald.
“I wish to share my heartfelt condolences with the family of Reginald Thompson, Sr. for their tragic loss,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell, author of the motion that established this reward. “I encourage anyone who may have information that could help with this investigation to please come forward so that justice can be achieved for Reginald and his family.”
“My kid’s father was a very loving man. He was a great D.J., an amazing writer, he had a beautiful voice that was out of this world. I pictured my life, my whole future raising my kids with him in it. I never imagined that I would have to lose him so soon,” said a tearful Daysharee Vallier.
LASD Homicide detectives believe there are witnesses who may have seen the suspects leave the area and/or know their identities. If you have information about Reginald’s murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Help us Solve The Murder of Lentrail Hickshttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_8885-1024x768.jpeg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Detectives and Family Members Seek Help from the Public to Solve The Murder of LeNtrail Hicks; Detectives Announce $20K Reward
On Thursday, March 24, 2022, Homicide Bureau Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Lentrail Hicks. The reward was sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.
Shortly before noon on November 7, 2020, deputies from the Century Sheriff Station responded to a call at a residence in the area of 66th Street and Compton Avenue, in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles County. Upon arriving at the location, they located Victim Lentrail Hicks suffering from a single stab wound to his abdomen. At that time, Hicks was unable to give deputies any information that would assist them to identify or locate the suspect(s). He was also unable to provide the location of the incident.
On Monday, November 9, 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Investigators were notified that Victim Lentrail Hicks had died from the injuries he sustained on November 7, 2020.
Upon obtaining and viewing surveillance footage, Investigators observed an incident involving three male Hispanics walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. The male Hispanics included a young boy, approximately 10 to 12 years of age, a male approximately 18 years old wearing all black clothing; and a male approximately 35 years old wearing a black t-shirt with a large white logo on the front, khaki-colored pants and had a ball cap in his hands. The victim, wearing a white t-shirt, dark colored pants, and a ball cap, walked northbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. The Hispanics and the victim crossed paths on the northwest corner of 68th St. and Compton Ave. It appeared there were words exchanged, but no physical altercation. The victim continued walking northbound on Compton Ave, possibly entering a local business on the block. The group of Hispanic males continued walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. and out of view. The entire contact took approximately 30 seconds.
Approximately two minutes later, Investigators observed the victim enter the camera view on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave, near the businesses in the 6700 block of Compton Ave. The victim looks southbound but starts walking northbound. All of a sudden, a dark colored Prius is seen driving at a high-rate speed northbound Compton Ave in the southbound lanes. The Prius stops in the number 2 southbound lane, just north of 68th Street, parallel to the victim. A male Hispanic, wearing the same black t-shirt with a large white logo on the front and khaki-colored pants from the earlier confrontation with the victim, exited the front passenger door of the Prius. He walked straight to the victim and began a physical altercation with him on the sidewalk. It appeared the driver also exited the Prius and confronted the victim. The altercation spilled out into the lanes of traffic. The two male Hispanics appear to be assaulting the victim, and at one point, the victim attempts to protect himself by kicking at them. During the altercation, the Hispanic male in khaki pants can be seen making a stabbing motion toward the victim. The victim stops and looks down at his shirt. The second Hispanic male takes a large swing at the victim, who avoids contact by spinning around. Suddenly, the three males stop fighting. The two male Hispanics get back into the Prius, while the victim is seen walking northbound. The Prius makes a u-turn on Compton Ave, then drives west on 68th Street at a high-rate speed and out of view.
According to the Victim’s mother, Paula Stringer, when Lentrail got home he yelled to her to call 911 because he had just been stabbed. Ms. Stringer called 911 and paramedics performed first aid and lifesaving measures and transported him to St. Francis Medical Center for further treatment. Despite advanced life-saving measures, Victim Hicks ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
“I’m not angry, I’m more hurt than anything. My anger has passed. My son was a lovely father, a devoted brother, a loving son, and he did not deserve this. Whatever was going on out there, please come forward and let us know that Lentrail’s death won’t go in vain,” said Lentrail’s mom.
If you have information about Lentrail’s murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Family Seeks Public’s Help To Solve The Murder of Otis Rayjon Williamshttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Monday, February 9, 2022, Homicide Bureau detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to ask for the public’s help for information leading to the identification of the vehicle and suspect(s) responsible for the murder of Otis Rayjon Williams.
On Friday, July 3, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., 14 year-old Otis Rayjon Williams was shot and killed while walking to a local market listening to music, in an alley south of 98th Street between Central Avenue and Pace Avenue. This tragic incident occurred in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles.
Detectives released video of the incident which shows the suspect vehicle stopped, the suspect’s arm reached out of the driver side window, and attempted to fire at Otis. It appeared the gun malfunctioned, and the suspect cleared the malfunction by racking the slide of the gun. Once cleared, the suspect fired several shots at Otis, striking him in the upper torso. The vehicle fled west on 98th Street, then onto South Central Avenue and out of view.
The suspect vehicle is described as a 2015-2018 blue Dodge Challenger and had no front license plate. At the time of the shooting, the hood, roof and trunk had a broad dark-colored stripe that runs from the front to the back. In addition, it had a dark-colored rear spoiler and an insignia reading “Challenger RT” on the front grill.
Otis was 14 years old and the youngest of 7 siblings. Otis enjoyed playing basketball, listening to music and loved joking with his siblings.
“He was a good boy. He was respectful and he respected all his elders and we just miss him. He was the baby. I have 7 kids and he was the baby of the family. He was my little buddy. I don’t understand how this can happen and why? My main thing is why?…He was just a kid, why would you do that? I’m just hoping the public knows something and comes forward” said Francine Brazil, Otis’ mom.
If you have information about Otis’ senseless murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
