METRO DIGEST: Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo marks 40th anniversary
Staff and Wire Reports
INDUSTRY — The 40th anniversary of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo visited the Southland July 20 and 21 for two sold-out shows at the Industry Hills Expo Center.
The rodeo included events such as bareback riding, bronc riding, bull riding, bull dogging, calf roping and junior and ladies breakaway roping.
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo touts its cultural tradition. Its website says the tour “celebrates and honors Black cowboys and cowgirls and their contributions to building the west. We highlight the irrefutable global appeal of Black cowboys and cowgirls in the west and the stories behind a sub-culture that is still strong today.
The rodeo is named after Bill Pickett, considered the most famous Black rodeo performer of all time, who was renowned for inventing the sport of steer wrestling.
Villaraigosa to run
for governor in 2026
LOS ANGELES — Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced that he is running for governor of California in 2026, billing himself as a “proven problem solver.”
“California is a state where anything is possible with hard work and determination,” Villaraigosa said in an 86-second announcement video. “But our future depends on our willingness to face our biggest challenges. I believe we need a problem solver to lead our state. That’s why I’m running for governor.”
Villaraigosa went on to tout his record as Assembly speaker from 1998-2000 and mayor from 2005-13.
The 71-year-old Democrat pledged as governor to “balance the state budget, make sure our neighborhoods are safe and our kids have great schools. I’ll bring down costs for small businesses and middle-class families.”
Villaraigosa finished third in a field of 32 in the 2018 gubernatorial primary with 13.3% of the vote behind fellow Democrat Gavin Newsom, then the lieutenant governor, who received 33.7% and Republican businessman John Cox, who received 25.4%.
Other Democrats in the 2026 race for governor include Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the first to declare her candidacy; state Sen. Toni Atkins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former Controller Betty Yee.
Attorney General Rob Bonta is weighing a bid.
On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is weighing a run, while Leo Zacky, vice president of Zacky Farms, and former judge Jimmy Parker have declared their candidacies.
Man found shot
to death in Compton
COMPTON — A man was found shot to death July 24 in a vehicle in the Compton area, and an investigation was underway.
Deputies were sent to the 700 block of West 131st Street at about 3:30 a.m. on a “call for service of a person down inside a vehicle,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“Upon arrival, the deputies saw the vehicle on the side of the street oddly parked,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “Inside the vehicle, in the driver’s seat, they found a male … adult, unresponsive, with gunshot wounds.”
Information was not immediately available on the identity of the man, who died at the scene. No arrests were reported, and no suspect description was available.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Tipsters may also use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Five injured in
food truck blast
WHITTIER — Five people were injured, two critically, in an explosion at a food truck July 20, authorities said.
Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched at 9:16 a.m. to the 6700 block of Greenleaf Avenue, according to a Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher.
Paramedics treated five people at the scene: two critical, two with moderate injuries and one with minor injuries, the dispatcher said. It was not immediately known if all five were sent to a hospital.
The Whittier Police Department was at the scene investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Homeless man
fatally stabbed
LYNWOOD — Authorities have identified a man who was fatally stabbed July 23.
The stabbing was reported shortly after 12:10 p.m. in the 11400 block of Alameda Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Mark Harrison, 45, died at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, which listed him as “unhoused.”
No arrests were reported, and no suspect information was available.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Security guard
shoots gunman
SANTA FE SPRINGS — A 28-year-old man who was involved in a fight near a swap meet was shot to death during a confrontation with security guards, authorities said.
The shooting occurred about 5:05 p.m. July 21 in the 13900 block of Mica Street, Whittier Police Department Lt. Paul Segura told City News Service. The Whittier Police Department serves Santa Fe Springs.
The chain of events started with a large fight, Segura said.
Arriving officers found the man suffering from a gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the lieutenant said.
The Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner later identified him as Christopher Ortiz of Hesperia.
Investigators determined that Ortiz was armed with a firearm and shot at a group of people who left the scene, Segura said.
Armed swap meet security guards responded and confronted the armed suspect, leading to the shooting, he said.
Juveniles arrested
for car burglaries
CULVER CITY — Four juvenile suspects were taken into custody in connection with a series of overnight vehicle burglaries.
According to the Culver City Police Department, at least 20 vehicle burglaries were reported overnight July 21 and 22 throughout the city.
Police said officers located the four male juvenile suspects July 24 and recovered evidence linking their involvement to the alleged burglaries. It was unclear what led investigators to the group.
All four were booked on suspicion of burglary at the Culver City Police Department jail.
Police encouraged residents and other community members to “not confront suspects. Property is replaceable; people are not. Please call us immediately if you hear or see a theft in progress. Provide a location and description of the suspects, their vehicle, and the vehicle plate if possible and safe.”
Anyone with information regarding the vehicle burglary is urged to contact Culver City Police Department Officer Jennifer Atenza at 310-253-6120 or jennifer.atenza@culvercity.org.
Photo by Lorenzo Gomez
