Crews Contain Tuttle Fire at 2 Acres; One Home Damaged, All Residents Safe

A Santa Monica employee was shot in the leg during an armed robbery at a local business on Wednesday evening, according to police reports. The incident occurred at a commercial establishment in the 2000 block of Lincoln Boulevard, where an unknown suspect entered the store, displayed a firearm, and demanded money.

During the confrontation, the suspect fired a single shot, striking the employee in the lower leg. The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 7:30 p.m. and found the victim conscious and alert.

Paramedics provided emergency treatment on-site before transporting the employee to a nearby hospital. Hospital officials confirmed the victim is in stable condition and expected to recover.

The Santa Monica Police Department has launched an investigation, reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses. Detectives believe the suspect acted alone and describe him as a male in his 20s, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and a mask.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Santa Monica Police Department's Robbery Unit. The business remains closed during the investigation.

This incident has raised concerns among local business owners and residents about safety in the area, which has seen a recent uptick in property crimes. Police have increased patrols in the neighborhood as a precaution.

Three people are dead after losing control of their vehicle and driving off an embankment in the Santa Cruz mountains, authorities reported.

Officers were dispatched to the scene of the crash west of Redwood Gulch Road off Highway 9 at 9:36 p.m. Monday, according to the San José office of the California Highway Patrol.

A 2024 BMW M3 was traveling eastbound on the two-lane highway, which slopes downhill, when the driver lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and down a steep embankment, the CHP said.

The car fell approximately 400 feet, according to Ross Lee, a CHP public information officer.

“SR-9 is a windy mountainous road,” Lee said. “We have responded to crashes on SR-9 in the past to varying degrees of severity or injury.”

The driver, a 21-year-old man from Yuba City, and two passengers—a 17-year-old boy from San José and a 27-year-old man from Salem, Oregon—all died in the crash.

Officials stated the highway was closed in both directions for about three hours as investigators worked the scene. The identities of the victims have not yet been released.

Lee told The Times that the CHP's details of the incident are preliminary and subject to change.

A domestic violence suspect with multiple outstanding warrants led police on a high-speed chase through Barstow on Tuesday, reaching speeds of up to 100 mph, before abandoning his vehicle and breaking into an occupied home in an attempt to evade capture, authorities said.

Gabriel Romero, 35, of Barstow, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, domestic violence, reckless evading of police, and resisting or obstructing police, according to San Bernardino County jail records.

The incident began around 11 a.m. on June 23, when officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a motel in the 1300 block of West Main Street, according to Barstow Police Department officials.

Police determined that Romero had assaulted his girlfriend and fled before officers arrived, the department said in a written statement. Officers also discovered that Romero had several active felony arrest warrants related to charges including burglary, grand theft, drug possession, and multiple counts of vehicle theft, according to police and county records.

Responding officers spotted Romero driving in the area and attempted to pull him over, but he sped away, initiating a pursuit, officials said.

"The driver failed to yield, committed several additional traffic violations, and a vehicle pursuit ensued with speeds reaching up to 100 mph," the police statement said.

The chase ended just under 5 miles away in the 3600 block of West Main Street, where Romero abandoned the car and fled on foot through a desert area adjacent to a residential neighborhood, police said.

"Romero forced his way inside an occupied residence, and officers chased him inside," according to the statement. "Romero locked himself in a bathroom before officers forced the door open and took Romero into custody without further incident."

The suspect is being held without bail pending legal proceedings.

The state of California has secured a significant extension of federal housing assistance for survivors of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Under an approval received today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) financial housing assistance period for eligible homeowners through July 9, 2027.

Additionally, FEMA approved a three-month extension for eligible renters, now running through October 9, 2026.

“Recovery takes time, and for many Los Angeles fire survivors, significant challenges remain,” said California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs. “This extension will provide critical stability for families as they navigate insurance claims, secure contractors, and work to rebuild their homes.

We appreciate FEMA’s recognition of the extraordinary circumstances survivors continue to face and remain committed to working alongside our federal and local partners to support every community through recovery.”

As of June 12, 2026, FEMA reported that more than 35,000 households have received assistance through the Individuals and Households Program, with over $177 million awarded to eligible survivors. The agency also noted that more than 1,200 households have received Continued Temporary Housing Assistance since the disaster.

California continues to lead an all-of-government effort to help communities recover and rebuild. Since the fires, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued more than two dozen executive orders to accelerate recovery, cut red tape, support rebuilding efforts, and restore critical infrastructure.

State and local partners have completed one of the largest and fastest debris removal operations in California history. The state has expanded direct support for survivors, including making more than $100 million available through the CalAssist Mortgage Fund to help homeowners remain housed while they recover.

Additional protections and resources continue to support impacted families and communities throughout the rebuilding process.

The FEMA extension will help ensure eligible survivors have the time, stability, and resources needed to continue rebuilding and transition into permanent housing. California will continue working closely with FEMA, local governments, community organizations, and federal partners to support survivors and advance the long-term recovery of Los Angeles communities impacted by the fires.

A 13-year-old boy was hospitalized and later released after falling approximately 50 feet down a waterfall at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred when the teenager exited the Grizzly River Run ride prematurely and ended up in a restricted area near the attraction's waterfall.

Park officials reported that the boy was evaluated at a hospital as a precaution and was discharged the same day. The incident took place on a busy afternoon at the theme park, prompting a swift response from Disneyland security and emergency medical personnel.

The Orange County Fire Authority also responded to the scene. The teen sustained minor injuries, but the exact nature of his injuries has not been disclosed.

Disneyland officials stated that they are reviewing the incident and reminded guests to follow all safety instructions while on rides. The Grizzly River Run, a whitewater rapids adventure ride, features several waterfalls and is popular among visitors.

The ride was temporarily closed for inspection following the incident but has since reopened. The boy's family has been notified, and no further details have been released.