Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA – An officer was hospitalized for injuries considered not life-threatening after being shot during a struggle with a suspect who fled from a reported stolen vehicle Wednesday.

The unidentified suspect ran from officers in the 1000 block of West Gladstone Street around 4 p.m. February 16. Two officers chased the suspect on foot and an altercation began, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“During the struggle, the suspect produced a handgun and fired at the officers, at which time one officer returned gunfire and an officer involved shooting occurred. One officer was struck in the lower torso and was transported to a local hospital,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau in a written statement.

The suspect is only described as a man in his 30s. Next of kin have yet to be notified, according to Sarah Ardalani of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

The suspect was struck multiple times. He was treated by paramedics at the scene, but was pronounced dead. A handgun was recovered at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

A 28-year-old passenger in the reported stolen vehicle was detained, but it is unclear if she was arrested or released.

LOS ANGELES - An Azusa man was sentenced to more than 11 years in state prison Monday after pleading no contest to several charges stemming from a June 6 shooting with police.
 
Edward Gamino, 35, pleaded no contest to one count of assault with a semi-automatic weapon on a peace officer and two counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or vehicle, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spokesman Ricardo Santiago.
 
Gamino was sentenced to 11 years and four months in prison.
 
The bizarre incident unfolded June 6, 2021 in the 800 block of East Foothill Boulevard near Azusa Pacific University and Citrus College around 11 a.m. A suspect was seen with a firearm. Azusa Police officers initially could not find a suspect, according to Azusa Police Captain Robert Landeros in a previous interview.
 
Around Noon, a suspect was seen reportedly firing a handgun into the air and fired at an Azusa Pacific University employee in a truck. No one was hit by gunfire.
 
During an area search, officers located a suspect, later identified as Gamino. A foot chase ensued inside the Foothill Vista Mobile Home Park, 840 E. Foothill Blvd. Officers exchanged gunfire with Gamino, who took refuge in an occupied mobile home, Landeros said. 
 
The 88-year-old mother of Audrey Schmedes was able to escape with the help of neighbors.
 
“I got a message from her neighbor, a voicemail saying that ‘you mom is with me. Her unit was broken into and there’s somebody in there now,” according to Audrey Schmedes in a previous interview.
 
Schmedes called her mother’s home number and a man who was likely Gamino answered the phone.
 
“After he said hello a couple of times I said ‘hello’ back and I said ‘can I like to speak to the lady who lives there’ and he said ‘she’s outside,’” Schmedes said.
 
Gamino was soon taken into custody. He was found wearing a makeshift gunbelt he used to holster the weapon. A handgun was recovered, Landeros said.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - The 25-year-old driver of a reported stolen vehicle was listed in critical condition late Friday night after being shot by police and crashing a black SUV into a flood control channel.

The unidentified suspect, in his attempt to escape police, collided into several patrol vehicles and accelerated towards Azusa officers who opened fire on him, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Around 4:50 p.m. October 22, Azusa officers were notified of a stolen vehicle in the 200 block of South Azusa Avenue. Officers located the reported stolen vehicle and attempted to detain the driver and a female occupant. The driver decided to flee.

“The suspect vehicle continued eastbound on Azusa Lane as it lost control and collided into a chain link fence and entered a drainage wash. The vehicle came to rest on its side at the bottom of the wash as Azusa PD officers contained the area. With the assistance of their SWAT team, they were able to take the suspect into custody,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

The SUV landed in a twisted wreck at the bottom of the wet and filthy flood control channel.

The 28-year-old woman had emerged from the wreck and was first detained by authorities who arrived in a Bearcat into the channel. The suspect appeared to have been ejected in the crash and was very severely injured as officers approached and detained him.

A handgun was found near the crashed vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Both the woman and the suspect, who sustained a gunshot wound, were hospitalized.

No officers were injured.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Officers used less-lethal rounds to try and subdue an agitated, knife-wielding man in an Azusa neighborhood Sunday, eventually shooting him dead with live rounds.

The incident unfolded in the 900 block of West Sierra Madre Avenue, June 27. Officers found the suspect armed with a large kitchen knife as they arrived to investigate a domestic dispute. Azusa officers gave multiple commands to the suspect to put down the weapon, but he refused, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“The suspect walked in and out of his home multiple times looking frustrated and irritated.
The suspect then rushed towards officers and officers deployed less lethal munitions which were ineffective. The suspect then again charged towards officers with the knife and an officer involved shooting occurred,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau in a written statement.

Officers reportedly attempted lifesaving measures on the suspect until firefighters paramedics arrived, but the suspect died at the scene.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urge to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously 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 suspect was killed during an Azusa police shooting in an undisclosed incident early Sunday afternoon.

The shooting took place in the 900 block of W. Sierra Madre Ave. around 12:50 p.m. June 27. The suspect died at the scene.

Is not yet clear what led up to the gunfire.

All westbound traffic at Vernon Avenue and Sierra Madre Ave. is closed, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urge to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can be provided anonymously 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 domestic violence suspect was arrested Thursday afternoon, accused of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer before initiating a short pursuit.

Paul Martinez, a 62-year-old Azusa man, was arrested after crashing in the 5400 block of Rockvale Avenue. Martinez is accused of assault with a deadly weapon against an officer after fleeing police when they tried to contact him, according to the Azusa Police Department.

Police were sent to the 600 block of South Azusa Avenue just after 4 p.m. April 2 for a domestic violence investigation when they encountered Martinez who fled to a nearby vehicle.

“As officers attempted to apprehend the suspect, an officer involved shooting occurred,” according to Azusa police in a written statement.

Martinez crashed into a fence according to the California Highway Patrol.

Martinez was not struck by gunfire. He was evaluated at the scene of the crash by Los Angeles County firefighter paramedics before being booked in Azusa police jail.

Martinez was booked on suspicion of several felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer and attempted murder, Azusa police said.

The female victim of the report of domestic battery was evaluated at the scene of the initial crime for moderate injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

No officers were injured.

County booking records for Martinez were not readily available.