12-year-old victim’s family speaks out after fatal shooting in National City

We’re hearing for the first time from the family of 12-year-old Elijah Smith, who was killed in a shooting at a house party in National City Friday night. Elijah’s older sister, Oakley, and mother, Sofia, said they want justice, not just for Elijah, but for all the victims who were shot at that party Friday night. There’s still no description of what the suspect looked like, but the National City Police Department said there were hundreds of teenagers at that party. The police and Elijah’s family are asking if anyone has a video or knows any small detail about the shooting, to call Crime Stoppers or go to the National City Police Department. Oakley Smith Elijah Smith’s sister started this GoFundMe to help with funeral service costs and family support. Sofia Alvarez Smith, Elijah’s mother, said, “It’s not fair that I have to bury my 12-year-old son because some people think it’s so easy to grab a gun and shoot somebody. It’s not right.” Sofia said Elijah loved to dance, loved motorcycles and Air Jordan shoes, and was just a normal kid. Sofia said she

12-year-old boy dead after house party shooting in National City

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (KGTV) — One minor is dead after a shooting at a house party. National City police identified the deceased victim as a 12-year-old boy named Elijah Smith. Four others were injured from gunshot wounds and transported to nearby hospitals. Police say those who were injured are now all in stable condition. It happened on 1003 N Avenue just before midnight on Friday. Authorities say there were over 100 people at the abandoned house. Records show that the house has been boarded up for a while and is currently owned by an LLC. Police officials say that there was a noise complaint at the same location last week for a similar house party. Authorities say the shooting occurred after a physical altercation. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival. The National City Police Department (NCPD) is still looking for the suspect. If you have any information, call the NCPD non-emergency line at 619-336-4411 or Crime Stoppers at 619-531-1500. Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Breaking

Man sentenced after pleading guilty in death of 12-year-old girl who was paddle-boarding in Mission Bay

paddleboard killed jet ski DOWNTOWN – Emotions were high on Friday when a man who plead guilty in the death of a 12-year-old girl who was paddle-boarding in Mission Bay was sentenced to time behind bars. Arsanyous Refat Ghaly looked to the ground as Superior Court Judge Polly Shannon described an unsettling conversation with a probation officer. “The first words out of your mouth to probation during that interview should have been, ‘I’m so sorry for what I did, I have such regrets about the decisions. I’ve made that day and they will forever haunt me. And I will do better,'” said Shannon. “Instead they were, ‘Do you think the judge is going to suspend my driver’s license?’ That was your concern.” The family of the 12-year-old Savannah Peterson, who was killed by Ghaly in a jet ski accident in 2023 was in the courtroom, listening to every word. But Friday wasn’t just a day to listen. It was also their turn to directly address the man responsible for their daughter’s death. “I was looking forward more than anything to seeing all that she would

Thousands of horse racing fans flock to Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup

Saturday marked the second and final day of the championship at the Del Mar Racetrack, bringing thrilling races and high-energy excitement to the crowd. DEL MAR, Calif. (KGTV) — Saturday was the second and final day of the Breeder’s Cup Championship at the Del Mar Racetrack. Thousands of horse racing fans flooded Del Mar to see 12 races, including Race 8 which was a seven million dollar purse. Breeder’s Cup is known to show off classic fashion attire that goes back a hundred years, and it also draws in people from around the world who come with expectancy to win big. Brian Edwards from Kentucky was one of those big winners. Edwards told ABC 10News that his filly, Thorpedo Anna who won Race 6 and is expected to win ‘Horse of the Year’, was his family’s horse. “This is my niece’s namesake. So we’re all here for her, for all of her efforts, and we’re looking for the best out of her,” Edwards said. The Breeder’s Cup Championships is a crucial race on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Horses from around the world, bred

Here are 10 tips for driving safely in the rain

Most winters and spring, Southern California doesn’t get much rain. But, when it does rain or it rains hard, some drivers act like they’ve never navigated a vehicle on a wet street. Inland Empire freeways can be dangerous if drivers don’t change their driving habits and go too fast for conditions in reduced visibility. Don’t be that driver! A few readers asked for tips for driving in the rain, so here they are. 1. Slow down! “That goes for any inclement weather,” said California Highway Patrol Officer Dan Olivas, of the Inland Division. Oil and dirt collect on roads and they can become slick in the rain, he said. Speed is always among the major factors – if not the No. 1 cause – of accidents in rain, Olivas said. If you keep driving in the rain, turn on your headlights and slow down. Keep a significant distance from the vehicle in front of you. 2. When possible on a multi-lane street or freeway, drive in the middle lanes that have a higher elevation. These lanes have a smaller chance of being flooded. Look ahead

Malibu fire fueled by ‘extraordinary, extreme’ winds. How long will dangerous conditions last?

The Franklin fire burning in Malibu is driven by dangerous winds, dry conditions and low humidity, which have combined to allow the blaze to explode. Conditions At around the time the fire ignited, there were gusts of up to 65 mph reported. By around 3:30 a.m., the winds were weakening slightly, with gusts in the 40-mph range, said National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall. Unlike during the 2018 Woolsey fire, water-dropping aircraft have been able to fly overnight. But Hall said patterns seen in past Santa Ana wind events “suggest winds should ramp up around daybreak,” which occurs around 6:50 a.m. Relative humidity Tuesday morning was less than 5% in the area of the fire — extraordinarily dry. The National Weather Service office had issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning to last through 2 p.m. Tuesday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. A high wind warning is expected to last through 1 p.m. Tuesday. And a regular red flag warning — which means the National Weather Service has high confidence that dangerous fire conditions will exist — is expected to last through

Franklin fire: Evacuations, road closures, shelters in Malibu

(Ethan Swope/Associated Press) The Franklin fire is burning in central Malibu, burning at least 1,800 acres on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway. Here is what you need to know: Evacuation order Much of Central Malibu, affecting 6,000 people Tuna Creek to Carbon Beach Carbon Beach to Puerco Canyon Approximately Puerco Canyon to Trancas Canyon. Evacuation warning Many other parts of Malibu Closures A six-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was ordered closed east of Corral Canyon Road and west of Las Flores Canyon Road, the city of Malibu said. Las Virgenes Road, which continues as Malibu Canyon Road on the way to the coast, is closed south of Mulholland Highway all the way to Pacific Coast Highway, a six-mile stretch of road, the city added. Pepperdine University closed, students sheltering in place. Malibu schools are closed. Evacuation centers Palisades Recreation Center at 851 Alma Real Dr. has been upgraded to an evacuation center, accepting pets in carriers or crates. Large animal shelter available at Pierce College in Woodland Hills. More to Read Sign up for Essential California The most important California stories and recommendations

All the News That’s Fit: Bats as bug killers, sucralose concerns and killer smog

For The Union-Tribune Bats, bugs and babies Bats are a natural pesticide. A single bat can eat between 6,000 and 8,000 insects in a night, depending on species and feeding habits. Since 2006, many bat populations in the U.S. have collapsed due to an invasive fungus found in caves they use. As a result, farmers in affected areas have increased their use of pesticides with one unforeseen effect: An increase in human infant mortalities. Scientists found that in areas with fewer bats and more pesticide use, the infant mortality rate rose almost 8 percent, the equivalent of 1,334 additional infant deaths. For every 1 percent increase in pesticides, there was a 0.25 percent increase in the rate. “Bats have gained a bad reputation as being something to fear, especially after reports of a possible linkage with the origins of COVID-19,” said study author Eyal Frank at the University of Chicago. “But bats do add value to society in their role as natural pesticides, and this study shows that their decline can be harmful to humans.” (Adobe Stock) A different kind of forever chemical The artificial

Breast cancer in young women is on the rise. One survivor is talking openly about it.

By Laura Yuen The Minnesota Star Tribune MINNEAPOLIS — Vanessa Berrueta Zambrano followed her instincts this past spring when she felt a lump about the size of a piece of popcorn in her right breast. She knew she needed answers. But her clinic told her that a screening likely wouldn’t be covered by her insurance because at age 39, she was too young. “I don’t care,” she remembers telling the medical staff. “Do the mammogram.” Luckily, she insisted. It was breast cancer. Breast cancer in women between ages 20 and 49 is still rare, with a prevalence of about 65 cases per 100,000 people. But the rate has been steadily ticking upward, with incidence among younger women climbing by nearly 3.8% annually from 2016 to 2019, according to a study published this year in JAMA Network Open. Research shows that women under 40 are more likely to die from their breast cancer than older women. People like Berrueta fall into a paradox: Even though more younger women are getting breast cancer, mammograms and other screenings aren’t recommended for women under 40. Some speak of feeling

14 ways to cope with depression and better your mental health

By Robert Klitzman, M.D. For The Washington Post “I seem to get depressed about things more than my friends do. What can I do about it?” A patient recently asked me this question. At some point, everyone gets depressed — for instance, when a relationship ends or we lose a loved one or a job. Usually, these feelings are short-lived, lasting a few minutes, hours or days. But millions of people have symptoms that persist for longer. Rates of depression have been steadily increasing. Every year, about 10 percent of Americans, including about 17 percent of adolescents and young adults, have what is known as major depression — when significant symptoms last at least two weeks. About 8 percent of us will experience major depression, and about 6 percent will suffer from milder but longer-lasting depression, known as dysthymia. Depression prevalence is higher among women and people who have less education or have never been married. Symptoms can vary from mild and passing to severe and disabling, including loss of appetite, energy, concentration and ability to enjoy life. Depression can also interfere with our immune

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect awaiting extradition to NYC

Luigi Mangione charged with murder in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing Luigi Mangione charged with murder in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing 05:02 NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione, the suspect in United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killing , is expected to be extradited to New York City to face murder charges. He is currently being held without bail in Altoona, Pennsylvania , where authorities say the extradition process could take days, if not weeks. Investigators are now pouring through what they call a mountain of evidence, trying to fill in the gaps of his journey and determine if he acted alone.  The 26-year-old was caught five days after the shooting after a customer spotted him at a McDonald’s in Altoona , which is about 300 miles away from the shooting scene in Midtown Manhattan.  The customer recognized Mangione from the wanted photos and told an employee, who called police. Officers responded and began asking Mangione if he had recently been in New York City. “He became visibly nervous, kind of shaking at that question, and he didn’t really answer it directly,” Altoona Police Deputy Chief Derick Swope told reporters Monday.

LIVE UPDATES: Wildfire in Malibu explodes to 1,800 acres; evacuations ordered

Firefighters raced to protect structures as a fast-moving wildfire exploded near Pepperdine University in Malibu amid strong Santa Ana winds Monday evening. Crews with the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the blaze, dubbed the Franklin Fire, near Malibu Canyon Road and Station Boundary, at around 10:45 p.m. As of 4 a.m., the fire was mapped at 1,822 acres with no containment. The cause of the fire was under investigation. A vehicle burns during the Franklin Fire on the campus of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Firefighters work as the Franklin Fire burns near a building on December 10, 2024 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) A firefighter sprays water as the Franklin Fire burns on December 10, 2024 on Malibu, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on Dec. 9. (Sky 5) The Franklin Fire erupts in the hills of Malibu amidst a Potentially Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning high-wind weather event on

‘I think I’m in shock’: Malibu councilman watches from a distance as fire surrounds home

In the hills above Malibu City Hall, Bruce Silverstein was at home Monday night when he smelled smoke in the air. It was around 11 p.m., and the City Council member and his wife then received an alert about the wind-driven fire that would soon roar across the Malibu hills, spurring widespread evacuations. The sky at the top of their driveway grew a brighter and brighter shade of red. By 11:20 p.m., flames from the Franklin fire were licking the hillside, and the couple had packed their bags to flee. They had driven five miles on Pacific Coast Highway toward Santa Monica when the mandatory evacuation alert was issued. The couple pressed on. From a hotel room in Santa Monica, Silverstein toggled between watching TV news and the Ring cameras stationed around his home as the fire gradually encircled his property through the night. “This is surreal,” Silverstein said in an early morning interview. “My wife just said there was a water drop on our house.” The lawn and trees around the home were “just burning wild,” he said. “We see real flames,” Silverstein said.

Israeli PM Netanyahu takes stand in corruption trial for first time

December 10, 2024 / 6:33 AM EST / CBS/AP Israeli strikes continue in Gaza Situation in Gaza remains dire as ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah holds 02:15 Tel Aviv, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stand Tuesday in his long-running trial for alleged corruption, setting off what’s expected to be a weekslong spectacle that will draw unwelcome attention to his legal woes as he faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes and the fighting in Gaza continues . It is the first time a sitting Israeli prime minister takes the stand as a criminal defendant, an embarrassing milestone for a leader who has tried to cultivate an image as a sophisticated and respected statesman. Upon starting his testimony, Netanyahu said “hello” to the judges. One judge told him he had the same privileges as other witnesses and could sit or stand as he chose. “I waited eight years for this moment, to say the truth,” Netanyahu said, standing at a podium in a packed Tel Aviv courtroom. He called the charges against him “an ocean of absurdness” and promised his version would

Lawmaker who was member of ruling coalition shot dead in Mexico

Updated on: December 10, 2024 / 6:33 AM EST / CBS/AFP 2 female lawmakers killed in Mexico Two female lawmakers killed days apart in Mexico following election of first woman president 01:56 A Mexican congressman who was a member of the ruling coalition was shot dead in coastal Veracruz state on Monday, officials said, marking yet another politician being targeted by violence in the country. “Benito Aguas Atlahua has passed away as a result of wounds caused by an aggression with a firearm,” the state prosecutor’s office said in a statement. The body of a man identified as Agustin Linares was also found at the scene of the attack in Zongolica municipality, the statement added. Authorities did not say how Linares, who was an engineer, died. Authorities have not provided further information as to the circumstances or number of attackers. Aguas Atlahua had been taken to hospital in serious condition after the shooting, according to an earlier report. The legislator was a member of the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM), part of the ruling coalition that controls congress, along with the Labor Party and

Word Game: Dec. 10, 2024

TODAY’S WORD — WINNOWED WINNOWED: WIN-ode: Removed; got rid of something. Average mark 17 words Time limit 35 minutes Can you find 22 or more words in WINNOWED? The list will be published tomorrow. YESTERDAY’S WORD — RANKLE: rake rale rank real renal ankle near kale lake laker lane lank lark leak lean learn earl earn elan To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last! RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.

Asking Eric: Is it cold of my daughter’s boyfriend to want her to pay half of their expenses?

Dear Eric: My daughter and her boyfriend have been dating for eight years and got an apartment together about four years ago. They seem committed and happy and in love, but they split their living expenses like they are two roommates 50/50. My daughter makes about half of what her boyfriend does. I know she does more of the cleaning, shopping and pet care while her boyfriend spends his money on frivolous purchases. I am protective of my daughter and want to make sure she knows that, generally, when couples are in love and living together and committed, they commingle their funds and don’t worry about keeping score. Is that still true in this day and age? I also know that my daughter is sometimes reluctant to stick up for herself or expect more. Should I talk to my daughter and explain that generally committed loving partners support each other emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and … financially? Or perhaps I should talk to her boyfriend, man to man, and explain that, if he loves my daughter, he wouldn’t want her to stress about money. Another part

Harriette Cole: Our teens are fighting our plan to move the family to Spain

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and I have made the decision to move our family to Barcelona. We have three teenage daughters — aged 14, 16 and 17 — who are attached to our current home in Phoenix. They’ve made it clear that they’re not happy about the move because they love their schools, their friends and the familiarity of the community we’ve built here. We completely understand their concerns, especially given their ages. Uprooting them during such formative years feels like a big risk, but we truly believe this move is the best decision for our family in the long run. My wife is originally from Spain, and for years she has dreamed of returning to her home country. It has taken longer than expected to get everything in place, but the opportunity has finally presented itself. We’ve found work, housing and schools in Barcelona, and we’re excited about the new experiences and cultural exposure this move will bring. Still, we’re struggling to strike a balance between what feels right for us as parents and what feels fair to our daughters. They’ve accused us of

Miss Manners: Is just holding a wine glass a trigger to a recovering alcoholic?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Over Thanksgiving, a relative brought a recovering alcoholic (several years sober) as a guest. He brought a bottle of grape juice as his beverage for the evening, in lieu of wine. As we were serving drinks, my spouse and I debated how to serve the juice: in a wine glass, or in a stemless drinking vessel? I felt the wine glass was more appropriate to help the guest fit in with those who were drinking wine, but my spouse worried that the alcohol-related stemware might be a trigger of sorts. My research since then has turned up no counsel. Since I expect we’ll see this guest again around Christmastime, we could use some advice! GENTLE READER: Your spouse has remarkably little faith in this guest if they think several years of sobriety will be undone by the wrong choice of glass for their grape juice. Not drinking alcohol — for whatever reason — tends to trigger rudeness in people who do drink. They try to tease or bully the abstainer into drinking, or they ask a lot of nosy questions, as if