Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two people were hospitalized after a shooting occurred in a residential area Tuesday night.

First responders were sent to East Newburgh Street and North Donna Beth Avenue around 8:19 p.m. January 21 to a report of a shooting with a victim down, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Details are few at the time this story launched. It is unclear if the second transported victim was hit by gunfire, or perhaps suffered some other medical emergency.

Several vehicles were witnessed fleeing the area. It is not publicly clear if investigators have identified a motive or identified any suspects.

No one was in custody at the time this interview was conducted (5:19 a.m.).

This area of town is the scene of frequent gang violence.

A man died in a shooting June of 2023.

A teen survived being shot in May 2023.

A teen was shot and wounded in the leg in February 2023.

Multiple teens were arrested in a December 2022 murder.

A wanted 18-year-old man was shot and killed while driving December 2022.

A victim survived a shooting in November 2021.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A man who reportedly confessed to lighting a fire at a park near the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Azusa will have charges officially filed against him Monday.

Jose Carranza-Escobar reportedly admitted to igniting a fire at Pioneer Park, 1360 N. Dalton Ave., January 10. A vigilant resident witnessed the fire and called first responders, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The incident happened around 11:37 p.m. Friday.

“During the investigation, Carranza admitted to starting the fire and was arrested for Arson. He was subsequently booked at the Azusa Police Department Jail and is currently being held in custody,” according to the Azusa Police Department in a written statement.

Newly-elected Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will announce charges against Carranza in a Monday press conference. He will also announce charges against those accused of looting homes affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

City of Azusa Public Works along with Azusa Light and Water assessed the damage caused by the fire, but police did not specify what was damaged.

Carranza is being held in the Azusa jail ahead of an appearance in West Covina Superior Court.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Investigators announced the arrest of a man accused of stabbing to death a 17-year-old girl in Azusa.

The 18-year-old suspect is an Azusa resident and acquaintance of the teen, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect’s name is not readily available.

Azusa Police officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call around 10 p.m. in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue December 20. The 17-year-old victim was transported to a hospital for treatment where she died.

The circumstances leading to the suspect’s arrest have not been disclosed.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A woman discovered suffering from stab wounds died after she was taken to a hospital Friday night.

The wounded woman was found in the 300 block of North Soldano Avenue around 10 p.m. December 20. First responders were sent to the location on a reported assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if homicide detectives have identified a suspect, or a motive for the stabbing.

Anyone with information on this stabbing is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Investigators are trying to determine the cause of death of a man found near a footbridge and the 210 freeway Tuesday.

First responders were sent to the footbridge in the 5900 block of Rockvale Avenue around 4:22 p.m. Tuesday, August 27. The body appears to be away from the actual footbridge walkway and amongst the trees and bushes.

A Los Angeles County fire department paramedic declared the man dead at 4:34 p.m. The man is only described as being white, and between 50 to 60 years old, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man was found laying on what was described as a makeshift mattress. Preliminarily, there does not appear to be any foul play, according to the CHP.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Homicide detectives are on scene of a fatal shooting Friday.

First responders were sent to the 200 block of North San Gabriel Avenue around 5:30 a.m. August 9. The victim was taken to a hospital where they later died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It is unclear if investigators identified a suspect or motive.

San Gabriel Avenue between West Third Street and West Second Street remains closed.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Two juveniles and an adult were arrested, accused of being involved in the shooting death of a 62-year-old man January 31.

Jiovanni Ruiz, a 21-year-old Covina man, and one of the juveniles were officially charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with one count each of murder.

Ruiz was arrested May 9. It is not publicly clear when the other juveniles, a resident of Covina and the other, a resident of Azusa, were arrested.

First responders were sent to a mobile gas station, 145 N. Azusa Ave., on a report of a shooting victim around 9 PM January 31.

The 62-year-old victim was found down and unconscious. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and transported to a hospital, where he later died, according to the Azusa Police Department.

It is not publicly clear if detectives have determined a motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Azusa Police Department at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Investigators are asking for public assistance in providing information regarding a fire that gutted the cafeteria of a shuttered elementary school Friday.

Investigators ultimately deemed the fire at Mountain View Elementary school, 201 N. Vernon Ave., as arson. Beyond that, the Azusa Police Department has not provided any details regarding a possible suspect description, if one exists.

District employees were on campus at the time, but it is unclear if any of those employees witnessed the start of the fire.

The cafeteria was being used to store furniture, according to radio traffic from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched to the school at 7:16 p.m. Friday, June 7. They discovered heavy smoke and flames coming from the cafeteria and initiated an aggressive fire attack to limit the damage. Knockdown was called at 8:06 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Mountain View was one of two campuses closed for the 2019-20 school year as a cost-saving measure to grapple with declining enrollment district wide.

Anyone with information on this fire is urged to call the Azusa Police Department Detective Bureau at 626-812-3200. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The 15-year-old boy killed after being shot April has been identified.

Aldo Ramirez died from a gunshot wound to his torso. His death is listed as a homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

First responders were sent to the 300 block of South O’Malley Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Ramirez was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital where he died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

What led to the shooting has not been shared by investigators.

A gofundme was created to help with funeral expenses.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A gunshot victim died at a hospital after being found shot in a neighborhood.

First responders were sent to the 300 block of South O’Malley Avenue around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The victim was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital where he died, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

No other details are publicly available.

Anyone with information on this shooting is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.