Skip to Content
News

Headlines: LAPD Officials Determined That Officer Who Killed 14-Year-Old at Burlington Coat Factory Last Year Didn’t Follow Policy; 405? More Like 40-Hell

Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.

—North Hollywood: Officials determined that LAPD Officer William Dorsey Jones Jr. broke department policy when he shot at a suspect in a Burlington Coat Factory with an assault rifle a year ago, missed, and inadvertently killed 14-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta (who was hiding in a dressing room with her mother). The LAPD's civilian oversight board ruled that Jones' first shot was reasonable, but the remaining two shots were not. Police Chief Michel Moore found that all three shots were unreasonable and that another officer in Jones' position would not have done the same thing. Additionally, officials determined that the tactics of five other officers and a supervisor were not up to par. [LAT]

—Los Angeles: Sixty percent of eligible voters in L.A. County did not cast their ballots in this year's general election. Of the 40 percent that did, eight out of ten people voted by mail. [LA County Registrar]

Calabasas: David Bunevacz, a 53-year-old former UCLA decathlete, was sentenced to over 17 years in prison for taking $28 million from investors he falsely told were going to finance a cannabis vape pen business. [LBPT]

Highland Park: There are claims that two men in medical masks, driving a Toyota, stole an iPhone and kets at gunpoint. [Highland Park 90042]

Koreatown: A man was found suffering multiple gunshot wounds in a tent on Tuesday night and was later declared dead. [KTLA]

Inglewood: A man was thrown over a railing at SoFi Stadium after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the L.A. Chargers on Sunday, falling 10-15 feet to the concrete below. [KTLA]

—A banda tribute to Guillermo Ochoa's epic save in yesterday's game between Mexico and Poland in the World Cup. [Matt41006/TikTok]

—The snarled, emissions-choked 405 freeway is feeling festive this year. [ABC7]

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Daily Memo: ICE Prowls Around L.A. and San Diego, Kidnapping at Least Seven Individuals

ICE agents continue terrorizing southern California, kidnapping many including a gardener taken from his work truck.

Ten Damning Revelations in Congressional Probe Into U.S. Citizens Unlawfully Detained by Federal Immigration Agents

“At least you’ll have an exciting story to tell when you go back to school,” one federal agent told a detained 15-year-old child with special needs. The report includes three U.S. Citizens from the L.A. area, speaking out for the first time and a six-year-old child with autism kidnapped in Massachusetts.

December 12, 2025

L.A. TACO’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Perfume for goths, elk burgers, ICE piñatas, graffiti books, and 18 other items that should get your gift-giving wheels turning.

December 12, 2025

Weekend Eats: Steak Au Poivre Ramen and a Holiday Market For Palestine

Plus a new modern Indian restaurant with pork vindaloo croquettes and a breakfast spot for chicken katsu and waffles.

December 12, 2025

The 24 Best Tamales In Los Angeles

Banana leaf tamales, tamales filled with savory corn pudding, sweet tamales, and those that can only be described as "unique." Los Angeles really is the best U.S. city for tamal season.

December 11, 2025

Daily Memo: CBP MIA In Recent ICE Raids; LA County Approves Mask Ban

A breakdown of California and Los Angeles County's new laws banning ICE and local law enforcement from wearing masks or concealing their identity and agencies.

December 10, 2025
See all posts