los angeles
Dominic Choi makes history as LAPD’s first Asian American assistant chief
Korean American officer Dominic Choi made history as the first Asian American assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The promotion: Choi’s promotion to assistant chief now gives him the second-highest ranking in the department. He is one of three assistant chiefs, according to CBS Los Angeles.
‘She Rates Dogs’ podcast co-host Mat George dies at 26 after hit-and-run in LA
Mat George, the co-host of the “She Rates Dogs” podcast, died after being struck by a vehicle in Los Angeles on July 17.
What happened: George was walking southbound on Croft Avenue around 2:20 a.m. when a white BMW traveling eastbound on Beverly Boulevard hit the comedian, according to the LAPD.
Inmate Brutally Punches Asian American Custody Assistant, Could Face Hate Crime Charges
An inmate in Los Angeles could face assault and hate crime charges after attacking an Asian American custody assistant last week.
The incident, which was caught on a security camera, occurred at the Inmate Reception Center (IRC) on May 5 at around 10:45 a.m.
LA Street Renamed in Honor of Activist Rose Ochi
An intersection in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo was renamed Rose Ochi Square on Tuesday in honor of the esteemed activist, with a celebration attended by her widower, Thomas Ochi.
Remembering an activist: The renamed area, located at First and Judge John Aiso streets, was requested by City Hall lobbyist Darlene Kuba to honor Ochi’s work, reported the Los Angeles Daily News.
Community Raises Over $200K for Father of Two Killed in LA Shooting Spree
A 42-year-old Asian American father of two young children is one of two victims killed in a series of shootings in Los Angeles early Tuesday morning.
The incident: A man in a Jeep Cherokee, identified as Carlos Lopez-Melendez, 50, went on five separate drive-by shootings in and around downtown LA in the span of thirty minutes, reports ABC7. He killed two men and injured a third.
Business Owner’s New Studio Vandalized With ‘Ch*nk’ Two Weeks After Opening in Pasadena
An Asian business owner has revealed that her studio in Pasadena, Calif., was allegedly vandalized within two weeks of its opening.
Scratched onto the windows of Jellylab was the word “Ch*nk,” owner Connie explained in a recent Instagram post. While getting bubble tea with her two friends on Wednesday, one of them pointed out the vandalism, Connie told NextShark.
Anti-Asian Hate Crimes in LA More Than Doubled in 2020, LAPD Report Reveals
A report prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department found that hate crimes against Asian Americans in LA more than doubled compared to past years.
Significant increase: The analysis, submitted to the Police Commission last week, noted there were 15 documented cases of hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in 2020 compared to seven in 2019 and nine in 2018, reports the Los Angeles Times.
LA Pawnshop Returns $16K Rolex Taken From Asian Family in Violent Robbery
A Los Angeles-based pawnshop has decided to return a 24-karat Rolex watch pawned by a thief who violently robbed an Asian man in 2019 to its original owner.
The violent roadside beating and robbery occurred in Henderson, Nevada, on Oct. 19, 2019, when the suspect, Robert E. Pearce, 39, struck Hasin Oh on the head, arms and body, according to NBC Los Angeles‘ Eric Leonard.
Family of Woman Fatally Shot in Compton Demands Hate Crime Investigation
The family of a 28-year-old woman killed in a fatal shooting in Compton, California, is asking the police to look at the incident as a potential hate crime.
What happened: Sia Marie Xiong, 28, was shot before 6 a.m. on March 20 on East Kay Street, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said, according to KTLA.
‘F*ck China!’: Man Drives Through Crowd at Anti-Asian Violence Rally in LA
Los Angeles authorities are investigating a “hate incident” involving a man who drove through a rally against anti-Asian violence and yelled “F*ck China!” while fleeing the scene.
The incident, which was caught on video by several attendees, occurred at the intersection of South Diamond Bar Boulevard and Grand Avenue just around noon on Sunday.
Single Mom Killed by Suspected Street Race Crash in LA
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office has officially released the name of a single mother who was hit and killed by suspected street racers last week.
Colleen Wong, 57, was stopped at an intersection near West Vanowen Street at around 4 p.m. on March 19 when a speeding car lost control and crashed into her vehicle, according to KTLA.
Film Director Says He Was Assaulted, Blamed for Coronavirus in LA
A Los Angeles-based film director posted on social media that he was attacked by an unidentified individual while going to Starbucks in downtown LA on Tuesday morning.
Kevin Tsai, who works for Basewood Studios, was with his friend, Jeremy Jung, on March 16, when a man allegedly tackled him to the ground between 11:30 a.m. and noon around Main Street, the 23-year-old director told NextShark.