The LA Local
Coverage of The LA Local in the Nexus archive.
- Skid Row's murder rate is 17 times higher than LA overall. Would clearing encampments change that?
Skid Row's murder rate in 2024 was 17 times higher than Los Angeles overall, with data showing fatal shootings clustered around encampments. Analysis reveals at least 278 unhoused shooting victims since 2015, and debate continues over whether clearing encampments would reduce violence.
- To loved ones, murder victim Zackery 'Turdle' Melton was far more than just 'unhoused'
Zackery 'Turdle' Melton, an unhoused man, was fatally shot at the Westminster Dog Park in April 2025. He was remembered as a community-oriented individual with a strong support network, and his death highlights rising gun violence against unhoused people in Los Angeles.
- Homicides are on decline in LA but shooting deaths of unhoused people remain disproportionately high
An investigation by LAist and The LA Local found at least 278 unhoused residents in Los Angeles have been shot and killed since 2015, with gunfire becoming the primary method of lethal violence against this population. While overall homicides in LA have declined, fatal shootings of unhoused individuals remained high between 2024 and 2025, even as overall homicides fell by 19% in 2025.
- Dead birds washing up on Southern California beaches puzzle experts
An unusual number of dead seabirds have been found on Southern California beaches, puzzling residents and wildlife experts. The birds, including gulls and cormorants, were scattered across local shorelines from Orange County to Ventura County. Experts are searching for answers to explain the phenomenon.