HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — A man was fatally shot after an argument erupted during a baby shower in Hawthorne Monday night, authorities said. (credit: CBS) Hawthorne police officers called to a home in the 3900 block of West 118th Street at about 11:50 p.m. Monday found a man down with several gunshot wounds to his upper body. The 25-year-old man, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say the shooting happened during a baby shower at the home. Witnesses told police there was an argument before the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot the man several times. It’s ..read more

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from California on Friday and carried 50 more satellites into orbit for the Starlink internet constellation. A SpaceX webcast showed the rocket’s upper stage deploying the satellites a little over an hour after the 9:12 a.m. liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The satellites will use their own thrusters to move into their operational orbits over a period of weeks. The first stage successfully landed on a “droneship” in the Pacific Ocean. It was the fourth successful launch and landing of the reusabl ..read more

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — Firefighters are battling a second-alarm fire at the abandoned Hawthorne mall. The fire was first reported before 10 a.m. at a single-story building at the mall in the 12100 block of South Hawthorne Boulevard. LA County fire officials say the blaze  apparently started in a large pile of trash in the vacant mall’s parking structure. COMMERCIAL BUILDING FIRE| FS161| 12100 Block of S. Hawthorne Blvd. #Hawthorne| Units on scene battling a fire at a one story commercial building.#LACoFD — L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) January 26, 2022 The mall opened in 1977 an ..read more

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — One person is dead following a crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle on the 405 Freeway on Sunday. The collision occurred around 11 a.m. in Hawthorne, when the motorcyclist crashed into the rear of a vehicle, killing one; the L.A. Coroner’s Office was called to the scene shortly after the incident was reported. One person was rushed to a nearby medical facility following the crash. Their condition is currently unknown. At the time of the report from California Highway Patrol, it was unclear whether the motorcyclist or driver in the vehicle was the deceased individ ..read more

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting death that took place on the 12000 block of Berendo Avenue in West Athens, minutes away from Hawthorne Municipal Airport. When authorities arrived to the scene, they found a man shot to death. The suspect is at large. There is currently no motive or information related to this homicide. The attack took place at about 5:10 p.m. Friday, according to Deputy Alejandra Parra of the Sheriff’s Department. Authorities have not identified the victim ..read more

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — The City of Hawthorne has filed a nuisance abatement lawsuit against the owner of the Hawthorne Mall, alleging the long-closed shopping center is a blight and a danger to the community. (credit: City Of Hawthorne) Once known as the Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center, city officials say the famously dead mall has become a magnet for illegal dumping, graffiti, homeless encampments, and hazardous conditions including exposed plumbing and electricity. “There is a significant safety threat that needs immediate attention, as evidenced by the repeat transient and children break-ins ..read more

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — A vigil was held Tuesday night for a driver who was killed in Hawthorne. The incident unfolded overnight Saturday outside of Rock It Sports Lounge and Grill on Hawthorne Boulevard north of Rosecrans Avenue. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the man, now identified as Melguin Lopez Santos, 40, of Los Angeles, was asked to leave the bar earlier because of an altercation inside. That’s when Santos reportedly returned in his vehicle. Investigators say they received numerous calls Santos allegedly attempting to run over the crowd in a pick-up truck. “I wish he was ..read more

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — The identity of the driver who was killed after allegedly trying to run over a group of people on a sidewalk in Hawthorne has been released. The incident unfolded overnight Saturday outside of Rock It Sports Lounge and Grill on Hawthorne Boulevard north of Rosecrans Avenue. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says the man, now identified as Melguin Lopez Santos, 40, of Los Angeles, was asked to leave the bar earlier because of an altercation inside. That’s when Santos reportedly returned in his vehicle. Investigators say they received numerous calls Santos allegedly ..read more

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) – Authorities were investigating the death of a man killed in Hawthorne early Saturday morning, who was allegedly pulled from a truck and beaten to death after nearly striking several people on the sidewalk in front of a business. Hawthorne police received several calls at approximately 12:08 a.m. regarding a vehicle driving on a sidewalk, attempting to strike people who were standing. The coroner has identified 40-year-old Melguin Lopez Santos of Los Angeles as the deceased driver of the pickup. (credit: CBS) Santos had an earlier verbal altercation inside a business in th ..read more

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Hawthorne-based SpaceX made history Wednesday evening when it launched the first-ever non-professional astronaut crew into space. The launch of the four all-civilian crewmembers aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, dubbed Inspiration4, took place just after 5 p.m. Pacific time from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon is seen sitting on launch Pad 39A at NASA Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for the first completely private mission to fly into orbit in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sept. 15, 2021. (Getty Images) The trip is hoping to raise $20 ..read more