Los Angeles, Ca
3 dead after grisly murder-suicide involving a spear in Southern California
Detectives in Orange County say they’ve determined that a gruesome homicide late last week that left three people dead and included a bloody, medieval-style spear found at the scene was a murder-suicide committed by a 25-year-old man.
The tragic incident unfolded May 2 in the 1200 block of East Chestnut Avenue at a privately owned storage facility in Santa Ana.
Officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the scene after receiving a call from a woman, later identified as 25-year-old Jordan Block, who told dispatch that her boyfriend stabbed her and her uncle, authorities said in news release posted to social media.
Footage captured by Sky5 showed a heavy presence of police officers, detectives and crime scene units at the storage facility, where a bloody, medieval-style spear was on the sidewalk.
A witness to the aftermath, who had been working nearby, said he saw police arrive moments before another person near the incident said they heard gunshots coming from a storage unit.
He told KTLA that as he approached the unit where the killings occurred, he saw the older male, later identified by police as 64-year-old Brian Xan Martin, and the female victim inside.
Both were later declared deceased at the scene.
“Just a nice little dude. He’s been here a long time,” the witness, who did not want to be identified, said of the 64-year-old man. “He had a bad back and every time I saw him, he was just nice. I’d talk with him for a couple of minutes, same with his niece.”
He added that Martin had told him once that he was an expert in medieval swords.
The suspect in the murder-suicide, 25-year-old Cameron Delani Clark, was taken from the unit on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital where he died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds on May 5.
“Inside the business unit, officers located and recovered a firearm and edged weapons related to the crime,” police said.
The two victims and the suspect were all residents of Santa Ana.
While detectives continue to investigate a possible motive behind tragic murders, the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call SAPD Homicide detectives at 714-245-8390.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the Orange County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 855-TIP-OCCS or leave tips online at Orange County Crime Stoppers.
Los Angeles, Ca
Here's how to help those impacted by the wildfires across Southern California
As devasting wildfires continue to burn Southern California, residents and organizations are stepping up to provide aid to those affected.
Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery.
- KTLA 5 parent company, Nexstar Media Group, has partnered with the American Red Cross to launch a donation page for Southern California wildfire victims. Donations can be placed here.
- Baby2Baby is accepting donations to support children impacted by the wildfires.
- GoFundMe has compiled a list of verified fundraisers for people impacted by the ongoing wildfires.
- SPCALA’s Disaster Animal Response Team is seeking donations to support emergency services, such as temporary animal shelters and front-line veterinary care.
- The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation is accepting donations to support firefighters on the front lines. The foundation is seeking monetary donations, wildland brush tools, hydration backpacks, and emergency fire shelters.
- The California Fire Foundation is looking for donations to support surviving families of fallen firefighters, firefighters, and the communities they serve.
- The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations and items to support those affected by the wildfires.
- World Central Kitchen, spearheaded by Chef José Andrés, has a relief team in Southern California to assist first responders and families. The organization is accepting donations to support the ongoing relief effort.
- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
- Direct Relief is also accepting donations to support those impacted by the wildfires.
- Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE, is accepting donations to support wildfire victims.
Los Angeles, Ca
Eaton Fire victim dies holding a hose, defending home
One of the five confirmed fatalities from the destructive Eaton Fire was identified on Wednesday morning when his family found his body on the side of the road by their home – with a garden hose still in his hand.
According to his loved ones, 66-year-old Victor Shaw died trying to defend the home that had been in his family for nearly 55 years.
As of Wednesday night, Victor’s body was still on his family’s property in the 3000 block of Monterose Avenue as conditions were not yet safe enough for the coroner’s office to retrieve him.
Victor lived in that home with his younger sister, Shari Shaw, who said that she tried to get him to evacuate with her on Tuesday night as the fire moved toward them.
Those close to Victor said he had some health problems that prevented him from moving around very well.
As she was running out the door, Shari said Victor told her he wanted to stay behind and try to fight the fire.
“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back, and I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm – I had to save myself,” Shari told KTLA’s Rick Chambers. “And I looked behind me, and the house was starting to go up in flames, and I had to leave.”
A family friend, Al Tanner, told KTLA that the next morning, they found Victor’s charred body on the side of the road with the hose.
“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” said Tanner.
“I fell to the ground, and I didn’t know – I didn’t want to look at him,” said Shari. “They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace.”
As of early morning Thursday, the cause of the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire remained under investigation.
The Eaton Fire was one of four large, active wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The largest, the 17,234-acre Palisades Fire, destroyed an estimated 1,000 structures. A separate 855-acre fire, the Hurst Fire, burned in the L.A. neighborhood of Sylmar. A fast-moving fire in the Antelope Valley called the Lidia Fire has burned at least 348 acres and forced evacuations. Crews have made progress on the 43-acre Sunset Fire which forced rapid evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.
Los Angeles, Ca
Help needed as injured animals arrive at Pasadena Humane Society due to wildfire
As the deadly Eaton Fire continues burning in Los Angeles County, Pasadena Humane is seeking help as a large number of animals are being evacuated.
Over 100 animals arrived at the organization on Wednesday, and workers expected more drop-offs to come in over the next few days.
“Due to the proximity of the evacuation zones, we are also making preparations to evacuate the shelter, if needed,” workers said. “At this time, all animals are safe and unharmed at the shelter.”
Many of the animals arriving at the shelter were found with burn injuries.
Shelter workers said critical supplies are needed due to the influx of animals including food, water bowls, extra large crates and blankets. Anyone able to donate these items can drop them off at the donation bin located at the shelter’s front parking lot.
On Wednesday, workers said kennel space was filling up quickly and evacuees who need emergency boarding for their pets can drop them off at spcaLA at 5026 W. Jefferson Blvd. in Los Angeles. Large animals should be taken to the L.A. Equestrian Center at 480 Riverside Dr. in Burbank.
Pasadena Humane Animal Control Officers will continue working in the field, assisting with animal evacuations, while Pasadena Humane staff are working round-the-clock at the shelter to care for the animals of displaced families.
“We are currently coordinating with Cal Animals and ASPCA disaster response to mobilize more resources to assist with the situation,” staff said. “We anticipate getting in even more animals who are in need of emergency medical care as the fires continue.”
As shelter space is limited, anyone who can foster a dog or cat for at least a week is urged to email the Pasadena Humane Foster Office or visit in person.
Donations to provide emergency resources to animals affected by the wildfires can be made here. Anyone who finds injured wildlife can text 626-344-1129 or call Animal Control at 626-792-7151 ext. 970.
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