Arrests Made in Venice Beach Shooting NR21134ti

Venice: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Area detectives have made arrests in connection with the shooting and attempted murder of a homeless man on the Venice Beach Boardwalk.

On April 28, 2021, around 4:27 a.m., a shooting occurred near the 600 block of Ocean Front Walk. The suspect approached the victim, a homeless man, then aimed a semi-automatic handgun and shot at the victim three times. As the victim crawled away, the suspect shot at the victim for a 4th time. After shooting the victim, the suspect and two female accomplices entered a 2020 Jeep Compass and fled southbound on Speedway Avenue. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Detectives believe the shooting was gang related.

Around 4:46 a.m., residents near the 1200 block of Palms Avenue called 9-1-1 to report a vehicle fire in the rear alley. Around 4:56 a.m., the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the scene and discovered a 2020 Jeep Compass fully engulfed in flames. The suspects in the shooting were seen fleeing from the fire. Pacific Area detectives sought the assistance of LAFD Arson investigators who subsequently determined that the Jeep Compass was intentionally set on fire.

Pacific Area detectives identified Nichalous Reynolds, a male 33-years-old of Los Angeles, Blanca Marcela Lopez, a female 31-years-old of Inglewood, and Amber Manchel, a female 27-years-old of Los Angeles, as suspects in the shooting and attempted murder of the homeless man.

On May 17, 2021, and May 18, 2021, Pacific Area detectives and investigators from LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division, arrested Manchel in Venice, CA and Reynolds and Lopez in Inglewood, CA. During Reynolds’ arrest, detectives discovered a Rifle, ammunition, and other evidence.

On May 20, 2021, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Reynolds with one count of 187 (a)PC- Attempt Murder, one count of 245(b)PC – Assault with a Semi-Automatic Firearm, one count of 451 PC – Arson, one count 18740 PC – Ignition of a Destructive Device, and one count of 10851 PC – Driving Without the Owners Consent. The District Attorney’s Office also charged Lopez and Manchel with one count each of 32 PC- Accessory to Attempt Murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pacific Area’s Detective Jurado at (310) 482-6369. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the "P-3 Tips" mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.