 Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - The El Monte Police Department announced the death of Police Chief Ben Lowry, 45.
Lowry, who began his tenure as El Monte police chief in December of 2021, died from health issues, according to a written statement from the City of El Monte. Lowry died Monday, October 24. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lowry family during this difficult time. We are all at a loss and mourning a great leader, man, husband, son, friend and colleague,” according to Acting Police Chief Jake Fisher. “Chief Lowry’s dedication and commitment to the department and residents of El Monte will never be forgotten.” Lowry served with the El Monte Police Department for 20 years, having transferred from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2002. Lowry was officially sworn in as El Monte Police Chief this June,” according to the City of El Monte. Lowry Led the department through the shocking murders of two of his own police officers. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced in the coming days.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - Two police officers were killed Tuesday in a shooting with an armed suspect, the City of El Monte confirmed in a written statement.
“The City of El Monte is saddened and shocked by tonight’s tragic shooting that killed two of our own police officers,” according to city officials. Officers were responding to a reported stabbing at the Siesta Inn, 10237 Garvey Ave., and immediately came under fire upon arrival, according to El Monte officials. “There are no words to describe our grief and devastation by this senseless act as we learned about the passing of two of our police officers. It weighs heavy on our hearts and we are sending our support to their families,” according to a joint statement by the City of El Monte, El Monte Police Department and El Monte Police Officers Association.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - An El Monte Police officer was taken to a trauma center after being wounded Tuesday afternoon.
A large crime scene is being taped off around 10327 Garvey Avenue as El Monte officers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies work to contain the area. The officer’s condition is not publicly known. The status of the downed suspect is not yet known. A second Officer May have been wounded. El Monte officers are checking for possible wounded people at the Siesta Inn Motel, 10327 Garvey Avenue. The suspect’s family has arrived to the scene. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Temple Station, Norwalk/Pico Rivera Station are assisting.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor LOS ANGELES – A 31-year-old man shot and who later died at a hospital was identified recently.
Andrew Valencia, 31, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. He died of a gunshot wound to the chest. His death was ruled a homicide. Valencia was found wounded, but still alive in the 3000 block of Allgeyer Avenue May 5. Firefighters and El Monte Police officers were called around 4:50 a.m. He was taken to a hospital and later declared dead. Valencia was found laying to the side of a road near a business. Surveillance footage apparently revealed a dark-colored sedan was driven to the location and Valencia was pushed out of the vehicle, leading investigators to believe he was shot elsewhere. The sedan was driven south from the scene. Anyone with information on this shooting is urged 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 EL MONTE - One person died from apparent gunshot wounds after being hospitalized Thursday morning.
Reports from the scene show the shooting took place on North Allgeyer Avenue south of Valley Boulevard. Firefighters were dispatched at 4:50 a.m. May 5. One unidentified victim was taken to a hospital, according to a public information officer with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The patient later died, according to reports from the scene. The El Monte Police Department is deferring all questions to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - Police continue to investigate a hit-and-run collision that took the life of a bicyclist March 22.
Officers were called just before 9 p.m. to a male down and bleeding in the street at El Monte Avenue and Lower Azusa Road. The male was declared dead at the scene by Los Angeles County firefighters, according to Lt. Doug Knight of the El Monte Police Department. The bicyclist was identified as 59-year-old Ruben Vicario, an El Monte man. He died of blunt trauma. His death was ruled accidental, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The suspect vehicle is possibly a red or burgundy 2019 or 2021 Toyota sedan. Anyone with information on a suspect is urged to call the El Monte Police Department at 626-580-2100.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - Road closures are in effect after a driver struck and killed a pedestrian Tuesday night.
Officers were called just before 9 p.m. to a male down and bleeding in the street at El Monte Avenue and Lower Azusa Road. The male was declared dead at the scene by Los Angeles County firefighters, according to Lt. Knight of the El Monte Police Department. The suspect driver did not remain at the scene. The description of the driver and vehicle are not available, Knight told SGV CityWatch. All lanes of Lower Azusa Road are closed between Pal Mal Avenue and Persimmon Avenue. All lanes of El Monte Avenue are closed between Lower Azusa and Douglas Street, Knight told SGV CityWatch.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE - Fire investigators and El Monte building inspectors are examining a fire at the former site of a highly-controversial church Sunday morning.
The fire burned in a one-story commercial building at 2600 Tyler Ave. Firefighters were dispatched at 8:54 a.m. March 6. The fire, which burned in some façade on the street-side of the structure, was knocked down at 9:18 a.m., according to Dispatch Supervisor Jeremy Stafford of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The building apparently used to house the First Works Baptist Church, whose pastor was known for anti-gay rhetoric. Two people were caught on grainy security video January 23, 2021 as they ignited an object that caused a fire inside the building. The building apparently now houses a different church, according to Lt. Pete Rasic of the El Monte Police. “I think it is a Christian church. I think it’s a church that’s new to the building,” Rasic told SGV CityWatch. A quick Google search shows Celestial Church of Christ LA Mother Parish as occupying the address, however the City of El Monte business directory still lists First Works Baptist Church at the location. Preliminarily, the cause may be electrical, Rasic told SGV CityWatch. One person inside the church was displaced, Stafford told SGV CityWatch.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor EL MONTE – The Los Angeles County Fire Department announced the passing of a fire captain Wednesday night.
Fire Captain Steven McCann from Los Angeles County Fire Station 166 passed away February 9. “We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the entire McCann family during this difficult time,” according to a social media statement from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The department’s Memorial Management Team and PEER Support Team were activated to ensure proper care for all family members to support those in need, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. A medical emergency was dispatched at Fire Station 166, 3615 Santa Anita Ave., around 9:30 p.m. First responders were told of a firefighter in cardiac arrest. CPR was performed and the patient was transported with a police escort and unobstructed roads to Arcadia Methodist Hospital. McCann was declared dead at the hospital.  Written by AARON CASTREJON CityWatch Editor REGION - A pedestrian died at the scene after being struck by a train headed for San Bernardino Thursday afternoon, a Metrolink spokeswoman said.
Eastbound train 382 bound for the San Bernardino Depot struck the pedestrian around 5:54 p.m. January 27. None of the 120 passengers on the train were injured or required assistance in evacuating, according to Laurene Lopez, public affairs manager for Metrolink. Four other trains, including a westbound train, were affected during a track closure, Lopez told SGV CityWatch. The railroad tracks were cleared at 10:29 p.m. Thursday, Lopez told SGV CityWatch. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating. |
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