Two Shootings Within Six Hours, Both In CD 1/Zendejas

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Two Shootings Within Six Hours, Both In CD 1/Zendejas

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(June 2, 2021, 3:55 p.m.) -- LB's has learned that LB's 1st Council district (represented since Dec. 2019 by Councilwoman Mary Zendejas) had two shootings within six hours with shots fired but person(s) not hit.

LBPD Public Information Officer Allison Gallagher tells LBREPORT.com:

On June 1, 2021 at about 6:45 p.m. (during the LB City Council meeting), officers were sent to the 500 block of E. Anaheim St. (just west of Atlantic Avenue) where two men (adults) said they were driving on Anaheim St. when a man (adult) on the sidewalk began to fire shots at them. "Officers located evidence, including casings and the victim’s vehicle which was struck by gunfire." No persons were hit; the suspect fled the scene before officers arrived; suspect information and motive are unknown and LBPD's investigation is ongoing,.
On June 2, 2021 at about 12:21 a.m., officers were sent to the 100 block of E. 16th Street (south of PCH at roughly about Pine Ave.) regarding a shots call, found evidence, including casings, in the area of Tribune Court/16th Street. Officers were unable to locate a person hit; suspect information and motive are unknown; LBPD's investigation is ongoing.
The two June 1-2 shootings come after a May 31 shooting in which rounds struck a building (casings found, no person visibly hit, LBREPORT.com coverage here.)
In a March 17 memo to the Mayor/Council, LBPD Chief Robert Luna blamed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, not Council-thinned police levels by budget actions between 2009-2014 worsened by a Sept. 2020 defunding of 48 additional officers. Those Council actions have collectively left LB taxpayers with roughly 20% fewer police officers than the City previously provided. In Sept 2020, the Council voted (without dissent) for a FY21 budget that defunded 48 sworn officers on top of 180+ officers defunded 2009-2015 (included elimination of funding for LBPD's field anti-gang unit) not restored despite 2016 LB voter approval of the Measure A sales tax increase.