Local News Briefs

Man Surrenders in WLA After Standoff

A man who barricaded himself overnight in his West Los Angeles apartment after firing shots into the air has surrendered, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said Sunday.

Officer James Richter said the man, whose identity has not yet been released, was taken into custody at 7:17 a.m. after SWAT officers arrived at the apartment in the 1300 block of Brockton Avenue.

There were no apparent injuries, although Richter said officers continued to look for possible victims Sunday morning.

The incident was reported at 9:20 p.m. Saturday when someone in the area of the suspect’s apartment building on Brockton, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard, flagged down police and told them someone was shooting a gun near that intersection, authorities said.

Once the shooting suspect, a man believed to be between 25 and 30 years old, saw the police looking at him, he took off and was pursued to his apartment, according to police Det. Robin Jones.

Residents of the apartment building and nearby homes were evacuated during the standoff.

Man Burned While Throwing Burning Tree

A man suffered second-degree burns today when he tried to throw a burning Christmas tree out the window of his second-story apartment in Santa Monica this afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the three-story residential and commercial structure at Ninth Street and Wilshire Boulevard shortly before 4 p.m., said Santa Monica Deputy Fire Chief Tom Clemo.

Clemo said that while firefighters are still investigating why the tree caught fire, “it may have been an electrical short.” The flames were doused when the building’s sprinklers were activated.

He said the man, whose name was not released, was taken to a hospital for treatment of second-degree burns. He’s expected to survive.

Annual ‘Fireside at the Miles’

Performance Series

The Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division is proud to announce the 6th Annual “Fireside at the Miles” Performance Series at the historic Miles Memorial Playhouse (1130 Lincoln Blvd.) Few residents know that the historic Playhouse, designed by renowned local architect John Byers and completed in 1929, contains a large period fireplace in the main auditorium. In the 1930’s and 40’s the fireplace was often used as a centerpiece for community events and performances and it is in this spirit of community gathering that the series was started in January 2010.

Events are scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights between January 17th and February 28th, 2015. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for youth age 18 and under, adults age 55 and over and students of any age. The doors open at 7:30, shows start at 8 and end at 10PM. Seating is general admission.

For a complete line-up please visit –www.MilesPlayhouse.Org and click on “Fireside at the Miles”. For more information or to make a reservation please e-mail the following: name, date of performance, number of seats and phone number to MilesPlayhouse@SMGov.Net. (Seating is limited, reservations recommended – FREE underground parking offered at 808 Wilshire Blvd).