Full Notification

Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into the shooting death of a man and the stabbing of two other victims that occurred on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 9:29 PM, in the 900 block of Palm Avenue, West Hollywood. The deceased victim is identified as 30-year-old, John Winkler, a resident of West Hollywood.

West Hollywood deputies responded to a call of an “assault with a deadly weapon, man with a knife” in an apartment complex at the location. Upon their arrival, they were directed to an apartment where the suspect with the knife was said to be. The deputies were told by informants there were only two males residing in the apartment and described the suspect as a male, white, thin build, wearing a black shirt.

The field sergeant quickly assembled an entry team, along with deputies armed with less lethal weapons. The team staged at the front door of the apartment and announced themselves, but obtained no response. As deputies continued attempts to contact the people in the apartment, the apartment door suddenly opened and a male victim came rushing out. He was covered in blood and bleeding profusely from the neck. Simultaneously, Victim Winkler ran out of the door, lunging at the back of the fleeing victim. Both ran directly at the deputies. Winkler was similar to the description of the suspect and was wearing a black shirt. Believing Winkler was the assailant and the assault was ongoing and he would attack the entry team; three deputies fired their duty weapons at him. Victim Winkler was struck by the gunfire and fell to the floor, and the male victim also collapsed; struck once by the gunfire.

Once the door was open, the deputies could hear the sounds of a fight coming from inside the apartment. They made entry and saw another male victim and Suspect McDonald fighting on the floor of the living room. Suspect McDonald had overpowered the victim and was choking and tearing at his face. Deputies could see the victim was about to go unconscious and a large knife was on the floor near them. The deputies were able to use physical force to subdue the suspect and end the assault. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.

Homicide investigators have learned the resident of the apartment, Suspect Alexander McDonald, held Winkler and two other men captive inside the apartment, holding them at knifepoint. In a rage, the suspect began stabbing the men and fighting with them as the deputies arrived. One of the victims was a roommate of the suspect; Winkler and the other victim were visiting at the time of the incident.

Winkler was transported to a local hospital where he later died from a single gunshot wound.

The second victim (from the doorway) was transported to a local hospital and treated for stab wounds to the neck and a gunshot wound to the leg. He is in stable condition.

The third victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for stab wounds to the legs, arms and chest and was released.

The suspect, 27-year-old, Alexander McDonald was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. He is currently in custody. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, has filed the following charges against Suspect McDonald; one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of torture. His bail has been increased from two million dollars to four million dollars.

Any questions, please direct them to:
Lieutenant David Coleman
Homicide Bureau
5747 Rickenbacker Road,
Commerce, Ca. 90040
(323) 890-5500

Forwarded by:
Deputy Guillermina Saldaña
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
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John L. Scott, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department


***********************************************
Original Press Release, sent on April 8, 2014

Location: 900 Block of Palm Avenue, West Hollywood
#LASD Homicide

Date/Time of Incident: Monday, April 7, 2014/9:29 P.M.

Investigating Unit: Homicide Bureau
Lieutenant Coleman, Sergeant Martindale, Detective Q. Rodriguez

Narrative:

Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives responded to the 900 block of Palm Avenue, West Hollywood, to investigate the circumstances surrounding a deputy-involved shooting, in which one male was hit.

Detectives learned that West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to an “Assault with A Deadly Weapon-Man with A Knife” call in the apartment complex, and were directed to a specific apartment. As the deputies approached the apartment, they were confronted by two males exiting the residence. The men aggressed the deputies and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.

The deputies heard the sounds of a scuffle come from inside the apartment. They entered and discovered two additional males fighting, with one of them choking the other. The deputies stopped the fight and detained the men.

All four men were transported to area hospitals, where they were treated for their various injuries.

One of the men, a male/24, was pronounced dead at the hospital, as a result of the gunshot wound incurred in the shooting.

The other three men sustained non-life threatening stab wounds and are in stable condition.

A large knife was recovered at the scene.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation by Homicide Bureau detectives.

Whenever an Officer-Involved Shooting occurs involving Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies, and it results in a wounding, multiple independent investigations immediately begin at the scene. These include separate investigations by the Office of the Los Angeles District Attorney and the Los Angeles County Coroner, as well as investigations by Sheriff's Homicide Bureau and Internal Affairs Bureau. Attorneys with the Los Angeles Office of Independent Review also respond to the scene, and have full access to the facts known to the Sheriff's Department throughout every phase of these investigations. Once concluded, every aspect of the shooting is reviewed by the Sheriff's Executive Force Review Committee.

Authored by:
Deputy Lillian Peck
Deputy Crystal Hernandez
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.lasd.org
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Text & Email, Register for LASD Nixle messages: To receive more detailed, up-to-date information via E-MAIL and/or TEXT directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), sign up for "Nixle" alerts at http://www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" AND your local LASD station area. Or, to receive URGENT TEXT ALERTS ONLY, text your zip code to 888777. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.

"If You See Something, Say Something"
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

John L. Scott, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
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