West Hills Murder/Suicide Involved Elderly Couple
Sadly, this case appears to be very similar to the deaths of Donna and Craig Edwards back in November 2009.
An elderly couple was found dead in their West Hills home Thursday in an apparent murder-suicide case, police said.
Police discovered the bodies around 9 a.m. after responding to a 911 call from the residence in the 7200 block of Cirrus Way, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The victims had single gunshot wounds to their heads.
The husband and wife, both 77, were found inside after an officer entered the home through an open rear door. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene by Fire Department paramedics, the LAPD said.
Officials believe an elderly couple found dead in their West Hills homes Thursday were the victims of a murder-suicide.
The couple, a man and a woman, were both 77-years-old.
The bodies were discovered about 9 a.m. at a home in the 7200 block of Cirrus Way, said Officer Karen Rayner of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“A 911 call had been generated from a residence there, but the 911 operator was unable to determine the exact nature of the emergency,” Rayner said.
Officers entered the home through the back door. They found the couple each suffering from gunshot wounds to the head, Rayner said.
The victims, whose names were withheld until next of kin could be notified, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police asked anyone with information regarding the deaths to contact Topanga Area Detective Brian Pogue at (818) 756-3362.
Update: Names released on May 25, 2010.
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LAPD Sergeant Cathy Riggs Writes Regarding LAPD Topanga Station’s Use Of Nixle Alert System
Sergeant Riggs writes in with regards to some recent commentary on the blog about the lacking of Nixle alerts during recent incidents. It should be noted that since the previously blog entry, there was also no notification during or after the Warner Center bomb scare incident earlier this week. However, a notification was issued with regard to police activity in West Hills this morning. So, maybe we are moving in the right direction.
Sergeant Riggs writes:
Guys,
Girard does have a point, and that is that the LAPD is using Nixle but the public’s expectations are sometimes higher than the amount of information put out. I am a Watch Commander at LAPD Topanga and use the system. What gets sent out depends on who the watch commander is that day, whether that person has been trained to use the system, how comfortable they feel about sending out messages, and if they have the time to do so. I think with time, training, and public support of the system, the quality and quantity of the messages will get better. Thanks for everyone’s support of our use of the system.
Sergeant Cathy Riggs Topanga Watch Commander
I really appreciate you writing in, Sergeant Riggs. Having heard the same from other sources, I was aware that the alerts being sent depended on who was working that day and if they were trained. I hope that you will work within your capacity and authority to get the other Watch Commander’s up to speed so that when emergency’s unfold the system can be used to send alert no matter who is on shift.
It seems to me that the LAPD does want to keep the community informed about what is happening in their neighborhoods. In my opinion, the Nixle system is a great step towards that – as long as it is used.
Hopefully Topanga Station’s head honcho Captain Sherman is aware of the community’s interest in this system, and procedures can be set up to make sure it is used when it should be.
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Man And Woman Found Dead In West Hills In Apparent Murder Suicide
LAPD writes via Nixle:
Man and woman found dead in West Hills around 9am, apparent murder/suicide, 7200 blk of Cirrus Way. Police activity in area.
More as info comes my way.
Update: Names released on May 25, 2010.
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Topanga Station’s Commanding Officer John Sherman’s May 2010 E-Police Newsletter
Just received this newsletter from LAPD Topanga Station’s commanding officer Captain John A. Sherman detailing some recent violent events in our area.
He writes:
Dear Topanga Community Members,
Recently, the communities policed by the LAPD’s Topanga Community Police Station have been rocked by several violent incidents. As community leaders and police partners, I want to give you an overview of these incidents. There is not a lot of detail here, but it gives you a general idea of what has occurred in your neighborhoods.
First, on April 30, 2010, a violent domestic related double homicide occurred on the 7000 block of Eton Avenue in Canoga Park. This was a terrible tragedy for this long-time Canoga Park family. A family member was arrested and has been charged with both murders. On May 10, 2010, an officer involved shooting occurred at the Best Buy at Victory Boulevard and Owensmouth Avenue in Canoga Park. This incident closed down surrounding major intersection for several hours. Your Topanga police officers did an outstanding job ensuring that no innocent bystanders were injured. No officers were injured during the incident. The suspect was wanted in a domestic homicide that occurred in Long Beach. The suspect involved endangered the public by having a loaded firearm and ultimately he succumbed to his injuries as a result of the officer involved shooting.
On May 14, 2010, your community was rocked by yet another double murder, this time on the 6900 block of Remmet Avenue in Canoga Park. A young woman and her child were murdered. This investigation continues and we are working diligently to identify and arrest the suspect(s).
Clearly these three incidents are tragic and horrific acts of violence. They are shocking to your community. Please know that we do not believe these are at all related, or a series or trend of violence in any way. In two of the cases, the suspect will not be free to interact with society again. In the third case, we have many resources working on the case to solve the crime and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice. If you or anyone you know has any information on this crime, please contact the Topanga Homicide Detectives at 818-756-4820.
The purpose of this email is to give you a brief overview of these significant events that have occurred in your community. I also want you to know that your officers and detectives assigned to Topanga have, and will continue, to work diligently and heroically to keep your community safe and to investigate these crimes to the fullest extent.
In fact, as of May 15, 2010, our total Part I crime is down 17.9 percent this year with 397 fewer crime victims than last year at this time.
As always please contact your Senior Lead Officer or me should you have any questions.
Captain John A. Sherman Commanding Officer Topanga Community Police Station
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Kate Mantilini Woodland Hills Retools Happy Hour, Offering Discount Food & Drink Selections 4 to 7pm Weekdays
Kate Mantilini rolls out revamped 4 to 7pm weekday Happy Hour.
In keeping with the recent trend among just about all restaurants in Warner Center, Kate Mantilini in Woodland Hills has begun offering discounted food and drink selections in its bar area weekdays from 4 to 7pm.
In addition to $5 house drinks and $6 house martinis, wine selections include Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Chardonnay by Smoking Loon. Happy Hour beers priced at $3.75 include Fat Tire, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Sierra Nevada Summerfest. Discount appetizers and tapas selections are served in the bar area and range from $4.50 to $7.00. Selections include made to order Guacamole, Tapas Crab Cake, Tapas Ribs, Grilled Artichokes, and several others.
I saw the shiny new sidewalk sign for the happy hour yesterday and decided to call some friends over to check it out with me. Foods and drinks were very good, and the place was pretty busy by about 6pm. See images in the gallery below.
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Urban Outfitters In Topanga Plaza Opens Tomorrow May 20th
Urban Outfitters in Topanga Plaza opens May 20th.
According to signage posted on the door as well as sources at Westfield, Urban Outfitters in the Topanga Plaza mall will be opening its doors for business tomorrow. If you’d like to apply for a job, the sign says to drop off an application tomorrow.
Popularity: 8%
LAPD Topanga Station/West Valley CHP “Tip-A-Cop” Charity Event At Woodland Hills Friday’s On May 27th
Ok, now this is something I can definitely see myself attending.
LAPD writes:
“Tip a cop” fundraiser-May 27 6-10 pm,to benefit the Special Olympics-Captian John Sherman may serve you, Please come
LAPD/TOPANGA AREA has an important message for the community!
The Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division Police Officers will be participating jointly with the West Valley California Highway Patrol in a “TIP-A-COP” fundraiser event to benefit Special Olympics. It will be at the TGI Fridays at 5919 Canoga Avenue on May 27th between 6pm and 10pm. Bring the kids and come by to be “waited on” by uniformed LAPD and CHP officers and help raise money for this worthy cause. You might even be waited on by the Commanding Officer of Topanga Division, Captain John Sherman!
Popularity: 3%
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