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Accused LA Metro bus hijacker charged with murder, kidnapping – NBC Los Angeles

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Accused LA bus hijacker previously spent time in prison – NBC Los Angeles


Prosecutors filed murder, kidnapping, robbery, and carjacking charges Monday against the man suspected of hijacking an LA Metro bus last week, murdering a passenger, and leading police on an hour-long chase through downtown Los Angeles.

Lamont A. Campbell faces a total of 12 counts, including a special allegations for the use of a gun during the crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The criminal complaint revealed that at least 1 of the passengers on the hijacked bus was robbed during the ordeal, but officials said the motive behind Campbell’s alleged actions were still, “under investigation.”

“If Mr. Campbell is found guilty he’s facing a total of 90 years, 9 months to life in prison,” said LA County District Attorney George Gascón.

Campbell, 51, was arrested last week after LAPD SWAT officers stormed the bus, rescued the bus operator, and tried to save a wounded passenger, later identified as Anthony Rivera, who was bleeding from a gunshot wound to his thigh.

Rivera, 48, died at a hospital.

He was riding the Metro bus to commute home from his job at Dodger Stadium when it was commandeered.

“I just want justice for my boy,” Rivera’s mother Teresa told the I-Team last week, when she and other members of her family demanded that officials improve safety on public transit lines.

Several other passengers on the bus were described in court papers filed Monday as victims of various crimes that occurred during the hijacking.

LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who also chairs the Metro transit system board of directors, said crime that occurs on the Metro system is often a reflection of what goes on in the communities it serves.

“But when it happens on a Metro bus or a train, it obviously becomes national news,” Hahn said.

“And I think we’re not the only city that’s even had a bus hijacking, I think that happened in a couple of other cities across the country,” she said.

Hahn said she supports the installation of some kind of screening system to prevent people from carrying weapons on to busses or trains, and said she’d like to see a more visible law enforcement presence.

Campbell was set to make an initial appearance in court in Downtown LA Monday but refused to be brought into the courtroom, according to reporters monitoring the proceeding. Officials expected Campbell to be brought to court Tuesday for an arraignment.

Court and prison records showed Campbell had previously served 2 terms in state prison on narcotics trafficking or sales convictions, and in 2018 pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor drug possession charge.

Gascón said Monday there were also several older arrests involving violence that did not lead to prosecutions, and that Campbell was last arrested in 2020 on suspicion of drug sales.



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Devastated family of woman killed by rock thrown through car windshield speaks out – NBC Los Angeles

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Devastated family of woman killed by rock thrown through car windshield speaks out – NBC Los Angeles


The devastated family of Sarina Rodriguez who was killed after someone threw a rock through her car windshield is speaking out about the tragedy as the person responsible remains at large.

Rodriguez was driving with her boyfriend along Highway 138 near Highway 18 in Antelope Valley just after midnight on Oct. 8 when a large rock was thrown through her windshield, according to CHP. The rock struck and killed the 25-year-old driver.

“It happened right before I went into the turn. A car passed me never went into the turn, the rock was directly for the driver right above the cluster it broke the steering wheel ring,” recounted Franko Martinez, who was the passenger in the vehicle.

Martinez said he was able to steer the car to the shoulder but there was nothing he could do to help Rodriguez.

“All I can do is pray right now. It’s hard to sleep,” said Martinez.

CHP continues to investigate the tragedy and at least one other similar incident that happened two days before Rodriguez was killed, where a large rock was thrown at another car’s windshield.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye to her and I didn’t get to tell her how much I loved her because I do. I did. I always will,” said Sylvia Perez, sister to Rodriguez.

The heartbroken family asks anyone on the road that day who may have seen something to come forward to help keep other drivers safe and bring justice to Rodriguez.

“There is a killer on this road and we have to find this person,” said Drew Harrity, uncle to Rodriguez. “There was a whole life behind this story that was cut short and a promising future that she had. I can promise you if anyone out there met her they would love her too. That’s who she was.”



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7-Eleven owners back Prop 36 with $1 million check following wave of robberies – NBC Los Angeles

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7-Eleven owners back Prop 36 with $1 million check following wave of robberies – NBC Los Angeles


7-Eleven owners, city officials and law enforcement rallied together Thursday to support Prop 36, after a string of brazen smash-and-grab robberies. 

From Anaheim to Pico-Robertson, 7-Elevens across Southern California have been targeted by thieves. The rally for Prop 36 comes just days after a 7-Eleven was ransacked and two employees were assaulted in Hollywood.

Prop 36 aims to increase punishments for some theft and drug possession offenses.

The 7-Eleven franchise owner whose store hosted the press conference said passing Prop 36 will benefit not only business owners but also citizens. 

“I’ve operated in this area for nearly 25 years and have seen the growth in crime rates firsthand,” said Franchisee Jawad Ursani. “We need Prop 36 to ensure that businesses can operate without fear of crime and that Californians feel safe in their communities.” 

Over $2 million was raised by Franchisees and 7-Eleven, Inc. in support of the proposition. Franchisees made the most recent donation of $500,000 which was matched by 7-Eleven, Inc to show support to business owners and the communities they serve.

“Today’s event is a testament to the dedication of our Franchisees and the entire 7-Eleven family,” said Randy Quinn, Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations for 7-Eleven, Inc. “We cannot accept a status quo that allows crime to flourish. Together, we are taking a stand.”  

Franchisees who have fallen victim to retail crime also spoke at the event about their experiences. 

In a statement, 7-Eleven wrote they will continue to advocate for a safer environment for the community and business owners throughout California as the November election approaches. 



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Group of female skydivers break world record in Perris – NBC Los Angeles

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Group of female skydivers break world record in Perris – NBC Los Angeles


A group of women, representing 21 countries, have set a world skydiving record in Southern California skies. 

The women, aging from 21 to 70, have been practicing these unique, snowflake-like formations for around a year. 

At speeds over 120 mph, they jumped from four airplanes flying at 16,500 ft. 

They had 60 seconds to link hands and create the first formation, release and build their second formation before letting go and opening their parachutes. 

Beyond record setting, the women said it’s about pushing boundaries and showing what is possible when women come together.

“We are all sisters,” a skydiver said. “And it was just amazing to see how we supported each other.” 



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