Spike in Weekend Homicides

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department responds to the number of homicides that occurred over the past weekend. (10 total from Friday nightJune 6, 2008 through Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.)
On Monday, June 9, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.  The Los Angeles Police Department’s Assistant Chief Earl C. Paysinger, Office of Operations addressed the number of homicides that occurred over the past weekend.  The News Conference was held at Parker Center-Main Entrance. 
Over the weekend, a number of crimes have occurred throughout the City of Los Angeles resulting in 10 homicides, all from separate incidents.  Several of the 10 homicides have been confirmed as being gang-related, but investigations are still ongoing and information provided today is preliminary. 
On dealing with crime suppression efforts, Assistant Chief Paysinger stated, "as trends migrate and evolve throughout the City, we have an obligation to move resources to address crime…we should not panic" as this is a spike in crime that we see periodically within the City of Los Angeles.  There have been no connections or trends developing that can be inferred as a result of this spike in the number of homicides.  The last spike that we experienced similar to this weekend, occurred in January over a four-day period, where there were 11 homicides.  It should be noted that homicides are down 32% compared to the same time period in 2002. 
Arrests have been made for three of the homicides that occurred in North Hollywood Area, Foothill and Mission Area.  The Department is seeking the public’s assistance in any leads or information regarding these homicides and is urged to contact the respective Area Detectives listed on the News Releases or 1-977-LAW-FULL (529-3855).
The following is a breakdown of this weekend’s homicides by Area, Bureau and weapon type:
WEAPON TYPE:
8 firearm
1 unknown object (vict was beaten)
1 knife
BUREAU
OSB: 3  (77TH , Southeast (2)
OVB: 4 (Mission, NHWD, Foothill (2)
OCB: 2 (Newton (2)
OWB: 1 (Hollywood)