The SurfAid Cup returns to Malibu this year on September 8th with former Baywatch star and Malibu local David Chokachi as SurfAid Ambassador.
SurfAid is a tag-team surf competition open to long or short boarders who raise funds in order to compete. Each team is made up of four amateurs and one pro. The team that raises the most money gets the first pick from an impressive line-up of pros and local legends.
The event has been supported by some of surfing’s most iconic and recognizable legends including Tom Carroll, Shane Dorian, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, Layne Beachley, Rob Machado, Owen Wright, Simon Anderson, Sally Fitzgibbons, Luke Egan, Laura Enever, Lisa Andersen, Joel Tudor, Strider Wasilewski, Nat Young and Taj Burrow.
The Local Malibu recently caught up with Chokachi on Point Dume to talk about his participation in the upcoming event and how the community can get involved.
Photo: Emily Scher
The Local Malibu: You played a lifeguard on TV and now you find yourself saving lives in real life. How did you become involved with SurfAid and what inspired you to help support their cause?
David Chokachi: Well, my good friend and fellow surfer/actor/Father/ocean lover, Zen Gesner, had told me about SurfAid a year ago, and I loved what they stand for. Then this year, there was an opening on Team Foam Ballers, and Zen invited me to join the team, which I was ecstatic about. To do something that I absolutely love (surf), and at the same time raise money and awareness for a cause like SurfAid, is a win win. I love SurfAid’s mission, to help women and children in remote places around the world, who are connected to us through surfing.
The Local Malibu: The SurfAid Cup is in its 7th year in Malibu and we hear you are going to be one of the featured contestants. What will you be riding?
David Chokachi: Yeah, yeah… I will be part of The Foam Ballers team, and I’ll be riding my 9’6 Harbour Surfboard which was a gift from Hal Whitby, our Sound Mixer on Baywatch some 23 years ago.
The Local Malibu: The SurfAid Cup helps fund Mother and Child Health Programs in extremely remote communities that lack access to clean water & sanitation, basic healthcare, and nutrition. Knowing how critical it is to have access to these services, how does it feel to be giving this opportunity to others?
David Chokachi: You know, I think we all forget how lucky we are to have easy access to clean water and basic healthcare. We get caught up in our busy lives, and forget how fortunate we are have these primary needs and services readily available to us. And women and children are disproportionately affected when there is little or no access to clean water and sanitation, so SurfAid’s focus on them is extremely important. It’s really a great feeling to know that we can provide vital support by raising funds and awareness, right here in Malibu.
Photo: Emily Scher
The Local Malibu: Your work has brought you all over the world and you’ve likely visited areas with needs greater than ours. We often want to help the local communities, but don’t know how or where to start. How do you see SurfAid bridging this gap for surf travelers?
David Chokachi: Well, the great thing about surfers is their passion for finding “the perfect wave,” and some of the most exciting places in the world to surf are in areas that are extremely remote. So it’s pretty common that surfers often see these challenges first-hand, and once you come into direct contact with people in need, you have to do something about that. It’s hard for one person to think they can make a difference, but SurfAid has mobilized a global community of surfers to help all of us create real impact. And I love SurfAid’s philosophy of “hand up, not hand out,” which creates sustainable change.
The Local Malibu: In addition to raising funds for SurfAid’s Mother and Child Health Programs, the event also gives the average person a chance to surf with some of the best and most recognizable surfers in the area. What advice would you give to surfers who might be nervous about competing alongside some of their idols?
David Chokoachi: First of all, these guys are some of the most down-to-earth, generous and cool people you will every meet. Plus everyone is surfing for a great cause, and this takes any ego out of the equation. You can just have fun, and try to do your best!
The Local Malibu: The Baywatch movie recently came out and introduced us to a new cast. If you had to pick between the Hoff or the Roc, who is more likely to get you to the SurfAid Cup finals?
David Chokachi: That’s a tough one, my loyalty is to the Hoff, but the Rock has proven he can do just about anything, so I wouldn’t count him out!
The Local Malibu: How can people get involved in SurfAid?
David Chokachi: People can donate by going to https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1557302. Every contribution goes a long way. Just 50 cents a day – or $15 a month – covers the cost of one month of clean water to a family of 6.
The Local Malibu: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
David Chokachi: I am super stoked to join my friends in the surf community to support the work of this amazing organization. SurfAid programs are truly saving lives and strengthening communities in need. Most importantly, I want to encourage everyone to participate in any way you can.
Unfortunately, the good news of a thriving Lagoon Ecosystem is being followed by the horrible news of a historic Mullet die- off in all parts of the Malibu Lagoon.
In a few short days from August 22-25 thousands of mature adult Mullets have floated belly up dead in the creek near Serra Retreat, north of the PCH bridge to the Adamson House and over to the newly restored channels of the Malibu Lagoon.
Sadly, hundreds more mullet can be seen jumping airborne gasping for air or gathered in the shallows near the ocean side of the sand berm trying to breathe air that they cannot get in the water or slowly rolling in circles in a slow suffocating death.
The cause of the die off is still unknown but a biologist from the Resource Conservation District of Santa Monica were immediately notified and arrived with extra data sensor probes to test dissolved oxygen and temperature levels along with taking a few dead fish for autopsies.
Rosi Dagit, senior Fish Biologist for the Santa Monica Mountains, is on vacation in a remote mountain area without cell service and no doubt will be saddened with the news upon her return next week.
According to several of her associates and environmental scientist from State Parks, have relayed to California State Parks District Superintendent Craig Sap that the initial theories suggest that all depths of the water column had dangerously high temperatures at about 28 degrees Celsius or 82 degrees Fahrenheit and though the day time dissolved oxygen levels were marginal, the night time levels may have dropped to dangerous levels. Mark Abramson, Senior Watershed Advisor for the The Bay Foundation, stated that the general rule is, “The warmer the water the less oxygen that fish have to compete for.”
This event is the biggest fish die off since 2009 and is much bigger than the mullet die offs of the late 70’s ,,,Craig Sap said this was the largest he could recall seeing in his years working for the state and added “I’ve seen—not to this degree—but historically, I’ve seen this happen before. I can’t recall how long ago, but I’ve seen some die-offs,”
I walked around the lagoon with one of the senior fish monitors, Jayni Shuman, who collects fish samples on a regular basis, and we both were horrified by the unfortunate morbid event and in disbelief of the sheer numbers of Mullets that were dead or dying but noticed that no other populations of native species seemed affected nor did it appear that younger smaller Mullet were dying.
Though the fish net monitoring program does collect and net samples of fish at specific locations around the lagoon and has recorded samples of smaller fish like the endangered Tidewater Gobies, Smelt, Pronghorn Sculpin etc., the team rarely ever netted the large mature Mullets, so no one really knew how many were in the lagoon.
It is obvious that the lagoon supports a large healthy population of mature mullet because many are visibly witnessed jumping and swimming around the shorelines but no one could have imagined that the lagoon was supporting such unprecedented massive numbers of them. Some guesses of floating dead Mullets were as high as 3-5 thousand and how many have survived is unknown but many are still being seen swimming around the floating dead.
Will they all die in short time? The die off event may have been the perfect storm of one of the hottest summers in Malibu history combined with the largest mullet populations in lagoon history all competing for a dwindling oxygen supply.
One fish biologist added that another factor cannot be ruled out, yet with a possibility that the mullet may have been involved in an exhaustive mating activity and when they do, they crowd together tightly to inseminate their mates which may have depleted or reduced their oxygen needs.
Could there have been a toxic waste dumped near the lagoon ? Did Tapia accidentally discharge a toxic load of sewage into the creek up stream? Was the city’s new sewage plant pipes being tested or have a malfunction? Are Colony septic systems still leeching dangerous levels of untreated human waste, toxic household cleansers or flushed pharmaceuticals into the subterranean lagoon hydraulics?
Until the test come back, the initial guesses are inconclusive. With the historic number of consecutive days of above average hot days in a row heating the water in the lagoon this summer, it appears to be the root cause but perhaps other factors also added to the deadly stress With thousands of dead mullets that are in a rotting state of decomposition and about to send out a strong stench to the surrounding visitors and residents the question remains.
What to do ? Talks have started with State Park officials whether to let the fish naturally rot back into the natural food chain or hire a contractor to clean out the rotting fish.
Would the dead fish create a toxic stew which could negatively impact the other native species, or would the natural nutrients be a benefit to the food chain much like Salmon that die after they spawn? Could it cause a human health problem or just a nasal/visual nuisance ? No doubt nearby residents will complain but how will State Parks balance human annoyance with letting nature takes its natural course?
The Malibu Times added some speculation, “locals have raised concerns over alleged failures in the project, one common complaint is the lack of breeches in the lagoon, meaning lagoon water is not mixing with ocean water.”
All Southern California wetlands and lagoons have a dry season closed berm condition, and a wet season open berm condition when rains naturally break through the sand berm to the ocean.
Lagoon species have evolved and depend on the two distinct open and closed seasonal conditions. Fish and Wildlife will not sign off or condone the out of season breeching of the lagoon to save the non-native Mullets at the expense of the endangered native species in the lagoon which are very adaptive to extreme conditions. It is known that open season tidal circulation creates healthy water quality, but if the lagoon were to prematurely breech during closed berm conditions that thousands of fish would perish due to salt water inundation and a premature man-made breech would flush fresh water into the tide pools also killing most the tide pools creatures.
If you google Mullet die-offs you will find that these unfortunate events are fairly common due to natural environmental changes and the impacts of human pollution.
Over the next several weeks this historic Mullet die off will be investigated by scientist collecting data from the sensor probes at the monitoring stations and the fish autopsies to determine the main cause and possibly any other contributing causes.
This article was updated at 1:11 pm August 27th with additional information provided by law enforcement.
New details have come to light in the disappearance of 21 year old Matthew Weaver Jr. from Simi Valley who went confirmed missing around Aug. 10th near Stunt Road and Saddle Peak Rd. This is also the area that has been plagued by reports of shots fired and other mysterious crimes.
Since the death of Tristan Beaudette on June 22nd, Malibu Canyon has seen a total of at least 7 confirmed shooting incidents.
The Local Malibu spoke with Matthew Weaver Jr.’s father Matthew Sr., and his sister Colleen on Sunday August 26th, who are spearheading an active door to door search for information in the neighborhoods around the area where Matthew Jr. was last seen.
Law Enforcement at the scene on August 11th, 2018 at Stunt Rd and Shueren Rd.
Shortly after 12 midnight August 11th at approximately, a witness called 911 after hearing a cry for help – screams near Stunt and Shueren Road where Matthew Jr.’s grey BMW was found.
First responders arrived shortly after at approximately 2 a.m., and at least two of them, a member of the CHP and of the Fire Department, also heard screams/cry for help.
Lost Hills Sheriff Department and Search and Rescue responded to the scene with multiple air and canine support as well as infrared technology. According to Matthew Sr., canines did pick up a scent but lost it before they reached the road. Scent dogs and cadaver dogs have been used in the search (the latter on the Monday following Weaver’s disappearance).
Search and Rescue including Air Rescue 5 searched Backbone Trail twice.
Matthew’s last SnapChat was in this general location on August 10th, a Friday, which is consistent with other crimes in the area.
Local law enforcement executed a third (possibly 4th) search on Saturday August 25th, and to the family’s knowledge, came up empty again leaving family and friends increasingly frustrated. Knowing the original circumstances surrounding Matthew Jr.’s disappearance, this situation has become increasingly troubling for Weaver’s family and for residents in the area.
Search and Rescue at the scene on August 11th, 2018 at Stunt Rd and Shueren Rd.
If no foul play was involved, one would imagine a body would have been located after 3 (possibly 4) searches, yet law enforcement has found no sign Weaver. Absence of a body is deeply troubling after hearing cries for help and knowing other violent crimes have occurred in the area. Mitrice Richardson and Elaine Park have also disappeared in the same vicinity.
The family is frustrated with the backlog at LAPD (and lack of assistance and resources they have received from outside agencies), however, after speaking with law enforcement and Sgt. Tui Wright from Lost Hills Sheriff Department, it seems investigators are pulling out all the stops to find Matthew with multiple ground and air searches and a door to door search in Hondo Canyon Sgt. Wright along with LAPD executed on Friday august 24th. Sgt. Wright has been working closely with LAPD and assures they are doing their due diligence and reviewing evidence along with interviewing family and acquaintances.
Law Enforcement has been following leads from the public, however none has lead to finding Weaver or a logical reason for his disappearance.
The Weaver family is circulating this flyer (below) to local residents with security surveillance in hopes of finding any information that can lead to finding Matthew Jr. or the person or persons possibly involved in his disappearance.
Representatives from Law Enforcement and State Agencies gathered on Sunday, August 19th, at King Gillette Ranch for what was supposed to be an update on “Safety in the Santa Monica Mountains” after the death of Tristan Beaudette at Malibu Creek State Park on June 22.
The murder forced the closure of the campground as well as the discovery of multiple incidents of violence occurring in the area that was not reported to the public by law enforcement and state officials.
News of Beaudette’s murder, and the report of another victim 4 days before on The Local Malibu’s social media, brought forward more victims of shootings. It also shed light on the fact that these incidents had been occurring since late 2016, leaving campers and commuters in the line of fire without their knowledge and many pondering a different scenario…had Tristan Beaudette known about the shootings at Malibu Creek State Park would he most likely have made different camping plans and still be alive today?
A message received and posted on the Local Malibu Facebook page that led to more victims coming out on the same thread.
POSE AND PACIFY
It was an impressive line-up at the King Gillette Auditorium on Sunday morning led by respected local, Senator Henry Stern who grew up in the area. Stern started the Public Safety meeting by stating the reason for bringing top brass from local law enforcement and state agencies together; “We don’t want to be known in this region for these kinds of incidents.” Stern said “We don’t want to be defined by this…we certainly don’t want to live in fear.”
Eight representatives from Lost Hills Sheriffs Department, State Parks, MRCA, CHP – including the Lt. from LASD’s Homicide Bureau, were in attendance. It was an impressive display of macho muscle up on the stage – a necessary, calculated production to “save face” in light of the fact that State Parks and local Law Enforcement chose to keep this information from the public for close to 24 months.
Stern explained to approximately 200 attendees the intention of the meeting was that officials are “…trying to knit some infrastructure together” and announced the formation of the “Santa Monica Interagency Task Force”, a body consisting of the law enforcement and state agencies meant to function together as an ongoing task force to keep the Santa Monica Mountains safe.
However, most residents weren’t interested in the “warm and fuzzy” delivered by Stern (although it did come across as authentic and endearing) or the “kumbaya” law enforcement portrayed about how they have been working together.
Residents were there for answers and they got none.
The meeting, covered by virtually every local news channel, turned out to be more show than tell, as law enforcement left many unanswered questions, giving no real information to satisfy concerned community members. Residents trickled out of the meeting early, confused and unsatisfied – much like they did when law enforcement addressed the Mitrice Richardson case in 2009.
This wasted on my Facebook wall shortly after the meeting.
Astute observers such as Ronda Hampton, a psychologist who has been an integral part of investigating the Mitrice Richardson case, was very disappointed in the meeting, seeing through the “Show of Force” facade and the appearance of a task force she does not believe exists:
“I was also disappointed to hear from a Sgt. from the Lost Hills station that what was being presented as the formation of a task force which included all of the agencies speaking at the meeting, was in fact not a task force at all. It was disappointing to see that as those men sat up there and discussed the fact that they had formed this task force with the idea of better coordinating efforts to improve public safety, it was all a farce. I would challenge the residents to find out information about when the task force meets, how regularly the meetings occur, how and when the task force was formed, what issues has the task force been focused on, if the public is invited to task force meetings, how members of the task force could be contacted, who is the primary contact person of the task force? These questions will not be easily answered as it became clear as the meeting proceeded that this was just a group of men gathered together on stage to placate the community.
A question was presented to the “Task Force” about the unsolved murder of Mitrice Richardson and the continued missing status of Elaine Park who both went missing from the Monte Nido area near Malibu State Creek Park and it was evident by the response from Lt. James Royal that he missed the connection between these cases and the case of Tristan Beaudette. He seemed a bit irritated that Mitrice Ricardson’s name and Elaine Park’s name were mentioned in the meeting. What he needs to understand is that there is a reason that members of the communities of Agoura, Calabasas and Malibu still reach out to me, they want want Mitirce’s murder solved, they want to know what happened to Elaine Park and they do not want Tristain Beaudette to be another Mitrice Richardson or Elaine Park, unsolved. I think Royal does not understand the impact that unsolved murder cases and missing persons cases have on a small tight knit community. As much as people who live in the community are concerned for their own safety, they are also concerned for those who visit their beautiful community and Lt. Royal should understand that. ”
Hampton became involved in the Mitrice Richardson case after Richardson, her psychology intern, was found dead in the area. Hampton has been communicating with the Monte Nido community and with law enforcement ever since:
“I will forever be connected to the communities of Malibu, Agoura, Calabasas and particularly the community of Monte Nido. After Mitrice Richardson, my former psychology intern, went missing in 2009 it was those communities that rallied around Mitrice’s friends and family. For years I spent much time in the area and in many ways I know these communities better than my own. I was happy to hear the announcement of community meeting regarding the recent shootings and I attended the meeting after some who live in the area suggested that I attend. When incidents, such as the murder of Tristan Beaudette and the other shootings occur I think it is very important for law enforcement and public officials to reach out to the community and offer them the opportunity to express their fears and concerns and to hear a plan for safety. The meeting, hosted by Senator Stern, fell short of offering any additional information about the case of Mr. Beaudette and offered no helpful information that would inform the community of how to best protect themselves while the murderer is still on the loose. In short, the meeting was disappointing and I think that is evident by the fact that people began leaving the meeting after a short time when it was clear that no helpful information was going to be provided.”
Lt. James Royal of Lost Hills SD read a detailed list of incidents that have occurred since the June 22nd murder at Malibu Creek State Park. Most reports were “reports of shots fired”, however, Lt. Royal cautioned the crowd eluding these incidents may not be connected…and then again…maybe they are.
Royal seemed to downplay at least one of these incidents, a reported “road rage” on August 9th, now being called a being “a heat related” back window blowout instead of a shooting incident.
While LHSD did a thorough search of the vehicle and found no forensic evidence to to call it a shooting, Lt. Royal did not include in his explanation that his front desk confirmed it was reported as a road rage (we confirmed the report as did other residents). The driver of the vehicle (of the blown out window) also admitted he was involved in a confrontation with another driver at the time. So, at this point, Lt. Royal impressing upon the “heat related” aspect (in fairness he did supply this reporter with a link to similar blowouts on this vehicle) is still misleading in my opinion, especially when you add together the other information reported in the same incident.
A road rage incident was reported and confirmed by Lost Hills SD on Aug. 9th.
Another report Lt. Royal referred to was a blown transformer, which was clarified quite quickly by residents, law enforcement and Southern California Edison. While it was initially reported as “report of shots fired”, I’m curious as to why that particular incident was thrown into the mix if it was confirmed not to be related?
Lumping the “blown out back window” and the blown transformer along with the rest of the “reports of shots fired” unfortunately leads us to believe law enforcement might be dismissing some of these incidents and contradicting their own statements.
Lt. Royal clearly stated: “Although they have not confirmed to be related, we have treated them as if they may be”.
It is true their may be a lack of forensic evidence to definitively tie these events together or to the shooter or shooters, however, that does not mean residents and commuters in the area are crazy. They didn’t all of the sudden start hearing things that aren’t there and they are not making these incidents up. Neighbors are confirming what they hear with each other. Not everyone is paranoid.
Are law enforcement and state officials taking every report seriously? You bet they are now. They are pulling out all the stops with multiple units responding to reports of shots fired, and in most cases, adding air and canine ground support. While it may seem like they are dismissing some events after the fact, they respond to them swiftly, with the assumption the shooter (or shooters) are active and in the area.
LHSD is fully aware they must leave no stone unturned and are looking to the community for support and information as well the apprehend the person or persons responsible for these crimes.
INFORMATION HIGHWAY
Lt. Rodney Moore of the LASD Homicide Bureau was in attendance to address the recent gang activity (two body dumps since May) and assure residents that those incidents are not believed to be associated with the shootings or the murder of Tristan Beaudette. However, Lt. Moore and Lt. Royal kept mum about details of the case, understandably so on some level, but why law enforcement did not address details already released by the media – including our publication The Local Malibu – is still a mystery.
The first reports of Beaudette’s murder hit the local and national news stations revealing the time Beaudette was murdered (4:44 a.m. – some reports are 4:45 ) which was initially released by officials at the scene. As more information and more victims came forward, a timeline, or “witching hour”, as to when the crimes were being committed, was clearly evident. So, it is unclear as to why investigators did not at least touch upon what is already confirmed and floating around on the internet via various news outlets.
Richard Winton’s article for L.A. Times ABOVE, details the time of the shooting incident with Tatangelo, and TOP, CNN reports on the time of Beaudette’s murder. The shootings occurring before the murder, had a window of 3-6 a.m. Since the murder, reports of shots fired are all over the map regarding time of day, leading to the possibility of more than one shooter.
Multiple photos of vehicles shot in the area have been published as well and most gun enthusiasts have established that the same type of weapon could have used both types of ammunition involved in the crimes that occurred before Beaudette’s murder.
Without question, investigators have sound reasoning behind not releasing vital information that could potentially compromise the investigation, however, there is a lot they could have clarified based on what has already been reported. For that matter, there are a few local news publications who asked questions at the meeting, when most of the answers were already out there had they done a little more investigating. Not doing so leads to more confusion.
Gun enthusiasts and hunters will verify that a shotgun can use birdshot as in the photo of the white car and also used in the shooting of James Rogers as he slept in his hammock. (Rogers fully recovered). Slugs like the photo of Meliss Tatangelo’s car above and in video she posted on The Local Malibu’s Facebook page can also be used in the same weapon. Both of these types of ammunition were used in most of the incidents leading up to the murder of Tristan Beaudette.
A MOUNTAIN OF MYSTERIES
To add salt to the proverbial wound, two young, adult males went missing in the area in the last 10 days.
Matt Weaver Jr.’s vehicle was found on on Stunt Rd. and Shueren RD. on August 11th. LHSD and Search and Rescue were dispatched, but have not located a body to date. Flyers have been actively distributed throughout the communities on both sides of Malibu Canyon/Las Virgenes Rd.
Another young male, Jose Martinez was last seen on Heathercliff Rd. and PCH on Aug.17th at approximately 8 p.m. Flyers have also been distributed locally in hopes of gathering information.
The mountain mysteries continue…
*These are developing stories.
Jose Martinez was last seen on Aug. 17th at Heathercliff Rd and PCH.Photos of the Sheriff and Search and Rescue response of Matt Weaver at Stunt Rd & Shueren Rd.Photos of the Sheriff and Search and Rescue response of Matt Weaver at Stunt Rd & Shueren Rd.Flyer asking for information on Matt Weaver’s disappearance.
On Sunday, August 19th, State Senator Henry Stern (and Malibu Local) will host a Public Safety Meeting at King Gillette Ranch to discuss measures being taken to improve the safety of the Santa Monica Mountains which has become a hot spot for violent crimes.
The murder of Tristan Beaudette on June 22nd ignited a firestorm of criticism of State Parks and local Law Enforcement for keeping a series of dangerous shooting incidents from the public.
It was revealed on social media when multiple victims came forward on The Local Malibu Facebook Page that the shootings spanned over a two year period.
A message from a resident the morning after the murder at Malibu Creek State Park revealed a community member’s Tesla was struck in the hood on Malibu Canyon at approximately the same time and in approximately the same area as Beaudette’s murder.
Shooting victim Melissa Tatangelo posted a video of the gunshot the hit her car on The Local Facebook page in the comments section regarding the Tesla shot in the same vicinity.
The good news is, local Law enforcement is leaving no stone unturned, rolling out multiple units, including ground and air support in almost every incident reported of shots fired in the area.
Lost Hills Sheriffs department is taking no chances and does have a well planned strategy in place that will hopefully lead to arrest of the person or persons responsible for these crimes. A reward for any information leading to the arrest of shooter or shooters has reached $35,000.
Lt. Rodney Moore of the Homicide division of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department will be in attendance at Sunday’s meeting, however, because of the sensitive nature of the case, More will not be discussing details of the investigation.
To reserve your spot at the highly anticipated meeting, click here.
Once considered a sleepy, peaceful, subdivision of Malibu Canyon, is now more of “Sleepless in Monte Nido” as the area near Piuma and Malibu Canyon, Malibu Creek State Park and the Hindu Temple have become plagued by ongoing reports of shots fired and multiple violent crimes occurring.
Since the murder of Tristan Beaudette at Malibu Creek State Park, Lost Hills Sheriffs Department has responded to reports of shots fired no less than 7 times in the area – and the timing of these incidents are all over the map, leading to the conclusion that there could be more than one shooter. Some possibly with only the intention of taunting residents.
Reports of gunshots have occurred almost every week since the murder of Beaudette, with Lost Hills Sheriffs Department taking no chances, rolling out multiple units, including ground and air support in most instances.
Most searches were inconclusive leaving very little forensic evidence, however, deputies have been successful collecting leads from flyer handouts and canvassing the area. At press time LHSD has multiple “persons of interest” and no plans on releasing a composite sketch.
Unfortunately, the shootings aren’t the only crimes in the area keeping law enforcement busy.
DUMPING GROUND:
To add salt to the proverbial wound, the area where the shootings have taken place has also become what appears to be a hot spot for gang related activity. Body dumps and potentially other violent crimes are occurring. Although authorities are confident the recent discovery of bodies found are not in any way related to the Malibu Canyon shootings.
The body of 52 year old Reynaldo Cruz was found on 5/16/18 behind the Hindu Temple on Las Virgenes Road and was reported to have the distinct markings of an MS 13 executional style gang hit.
The second (decomposed) body found was Roger Chavez Barahona, a 19 year old latino male, found near Fire Camp 8 on July 19. Coroner reports state that Barahona died as a result of gunshot wounds – again, not related to Malibu Canyon shootings.
Both Cruz and Barahona have been linked to gang association.
A ROAD WELL TRAVELED
Malibu Canyon is a major thoroughfare for area residents, making the commute nerve wracking not only at night, but commuters are feeling unsettled during day as well with the last five reports (7/12, 7/22, 7/25, 8/5, 8/9) of reports of shots fired occurring between a window of 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. resulting in a full roll out of deputies responding.
Aside from the numerous incidents in July, Lost Hills Sheriffs Department, including members of their Beach Team (who are armed deputies) starting off the month of August responding to reports of shots fired at 7:37 a.m. on Sunday, August 5th and a road closure at the same intersection in the afternoon of August 9th with what law enforcement told us was a reported “road rage” incident.
A motorist called Sheriffs to report what was thought to be a gunshot blowing out the back windshield of a 2002 Honda CRV. Apparently a minor confrontation between two drivers had ensued as well, however after doing an extensive search, deputies came up empty handed and no evidence linking it to a shooting.
MULTIPLE SHOOTERS?
While investigators are looking at all the leads, many of the reports of shots fired have left very little forensics, if any, for investigators to go on. The time frames of which the reports are coming in suggest there could be multiple shooters and/or a copy cat looking to further terrorize the Community.
INFORMATION IS EVERYTHING
Clearly, the criminal activity in the area does not seen to be slowing down and continues to pose a serious threat to residents, visitors and commuters.
So whose responsibility is it to inform the community and ensure public safety?
In the eyes of the people, the responsibility falls first and foremost on Law Enforcement. As a reporter and member of the community, I can safely say I’ve seen definite improvement in communication with the Lost Hills Sheriffs Department who has continued to make strides in opening up to the press regarding the recent incidents and crimes reported – but they also need to be cautious – and understandably so.
There is no question, with social media and the internet being an extremely important part of news reporting, false information can spread quickly and cause widespread panic. Which is why we feel it is our staff’s duty to continue to dig, verify and inform via our multiple platforms where L.E. might not be able to make a formal statement.
However, the City of Malibu holds some responsibility here as well.
City Manager Reva Feldman gloated about her “new and improved” Public Safety Department to the Malibu Times back in April of 2017, yet failed miserably to “raise the bar” as promised, saying: “I felt after ( Emergency Services Coordinator) Brad Davis left that it was a great opportunity to revisit how we handle public safety issues,” Feldman said. “It needed to be handled at a higher level.”
Instead, residents have seen a 50% reduction (I’m being generous) in services and a raise to not only Feldman’s pay, but we are now paying almost double the salaryfor a Public Safety Manager we seldom hear from or see – not during fires, floods – and most certainly no where to be found speaking on behalf of the City regarding the shootings that are clearly shaking residents to their core.
The Malibu City Council policy handbook exists as the single check and balance that we have to insure or hold the City to fair, unbiased and transparent work in all areas.
The Policy Handbook empowers residents with tools to hold the City Council, staff and contractors to ethical business practices and transparency. That “transparency” most certainly includes Public Safety and it looks like City officials are allowing policy #38 to collect dust:
Which brings us to a few very important questions:
Why is the City of Malibu staying silent on the shootings?
2. Why are City officials violating their own policies and refusing to inform their constituents of the potential danger in Malibu Canyon, a thoroughfare for residents and visitors?
3. Why would our Mayor, Rick Mullen, also an L.A. County Fire Captain with Station 72 in Decker Canyon support the City’s silence?
4. What are City officials hiding?
Below is a map that was compiled with the help of local Benjamin Kuo and confirmed with our sources in law enforcement detailing the multiple crimes and reports of shots fired in the area of Malibu Canyon, Malibu Creek State Park and the Hindu Temple.
Please note that “reports of shots” fired are in green and confirmed shots fired in orange. There is a distinct difference between the two.
REWARD
The reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Tristan Beaudette has reached $35,000 with the recent donation of $5000 from the City of Calabasas. Other donors to the reward money are Beaudette’s employers Allergen who gave $15000, LA County $15000 (at the request of Sheila Khuel) and the City of Malibu $5000.
This is a developing story. – Cece Woods, Editor in Chief
