August 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Prosecutors to File Capital Murder Allegations Against Three People Arrested for Arson

Prosecutors plan to file 12 counts of capital murder with special circumstance allegations Tuesday against three people arrested in connection with a 1993 fire at a Westlake apartment building that killed seven children and three adults, including two pregnant women, according to District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said detectives “just would not let this case go,” calling the alleged crime “the most horrific case of arson in the city of Los Angeles history,” during a news conference with Lacey at police headquarters.

Alleged gang members Ramiro Alberto Valerio, 43, and Joseph Alberto Monge, 41, were arrested Friday and Johanna Lopez, 51, was charged in 2011 with murder related to the fire and was already in custody.

Robbery-homicide investigators have known for nearly five years that Valerio and Monge were involved, according to Capt. William Hayes.

The key was finding witnesses willing to testify against suspects like Valerio, also known as “Greedy,” who police said was the shot caller for the gang.

The early 1990s were the “absolute zenith of violent crime in Los Angeles,” Beck said. “In that kind of atmosphere, witnesses don’t come forward.”

Lacey said witnesses were now willing to talk.

“In most cases, time can hinder a prosecution … in this case time was on our side,” Lacey told reporters.

A fourth suspect, who police declined to name, is “out of the jurisdiction,” according to the police chief, adding that the LAPD was coordinating with other agencies to make an arrest.

Beck said the gang was “engaged in large-scale narcotics sales” at the apartment and when a new manager was hired in 1993, she “tried to do the right thing” and put an end to drug dealing on the property.

The gang retaliated by intentionally setting the fire that took 12 lives, police and prosecutors said.

Two pregnant women were trapped on the third floor of the 69-unit building at 330 S. Burlington Ave. and unable to save themselves or their children, Lacey said.

The mass murder “weighed on the minds of prosecutors for the last 24 years,” the district attorney told reporters, adding that her office is “finally seeking justice.”

More than 100 residents were displaced, and more than 40 were injured. The seven children who died ranged in age from 15 months to 11 years.

Lopez was first charged with murder related to the fire in 2011 and murder charges will be refiled against her. Lacey and her team declined to say whether she was expected to testify at trial or whether all the suspects would face identical charges.

In 1993, the building was a way station for immigrants, some of whom lived a dozen or more to an apartment to stretch their incomes from low-wage jobs. The fire’s rapid spread was aided by the crowded conditions, with personal belongings and furniture crammed into small spaces, fire officials said at the time.

After two suspicious fires on the premises the previous month, inspectors had noted that fire doors were propped open and alarms were not functioning properly.

They required the owner to conduct fire patrols every half-hour. But the patrols never happened, and the fire doors were still open during the deadly blaze. The tragedy prompted widespread calls for reform in city fire inspections.

SM Fire Still

Related Posts

Toxic Avenger Reboot Aims to Smash Box Office and Medical Debt on Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Film’s Release Comes With a Promise to Erase Millions in Medical Bills The upcoming release of The Toxic Avenger will...

Trump Says Beverly Hills Residents Leave Cars Open for Thieves, Locals Call It Nonsense

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Officials and Residents Say Trump’s Crime Remarks Don’t Reflect Reality City officials and residents pushed back this week after former...

Beverly Hills Schools Halt Israeli Flag Display Despite School Board Vote

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Superintendent Cites Safety Concerns After Narrow 3–2 Decision Despite a 3–2 Board of Education vote to display the Israeli flag...

Los Angeles County Public Health Probe Sparks Nationwide Egg Recall Over Salmonella

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

More Than 95 Cases Tied to Country Eggs in 14 States; Do Not Eat Affected Cartons Los Angeles Public health...

(Video) The Opening of Mr. Charlie’s with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Vegan burger restaurant with brightly colored decor now open on 26th street across fromthe Brentwood Country Mart. The Opening of...

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...

Jewish Clergy Rally in Los Angeles Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Food Aid for Gaza

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Two Dozen Rabbis Gathered at Israeli Consulate, Hostage’s Family Appears at Second Rally Jewish clergy from across Los Angeles County...

Metro LA’s Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comment on Sepulveda Transit Draft EIR Approaches

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Community Members Can Weigh In Before the 90-Day Comment Period Closes. Metro is reminding community members that the 90-day public...

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, and Uni High Gear Up for Early-Season Games

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The Centaurs, Eagles, Normans, and Wildcats Face Key Matchups This Week Football season is heating up across our area, with...

I-405 to See Lane Reductions, Ramp Closures as Pavement Rehab Project Continues

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Drivers Should Expect Delays With Overnight Work Aug. 26–28, Sept. 5 Motorists using Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass should...

Kobe Day Tribute: Lakers Welcome UCLA Newborns With Purple-and-Gold Gifts

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Babies Received Adorable Care Packages in Celebration of “Kobe Day.” Families welcoming newborns at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and...

Suspect Arrested After Eight-Hour SWAT Standoff in Jefferson Park Shooting

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

 Police Say a Man Was Killed and a Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside a Home Hours after a fatal shooting near...