Venice Crime Update: Fatal Boardwalk Shooting, Gang Activity

VENICE, CA — Los Angeles police told Venice locals this week that the shooting on the boardwalkearlier this month that left a mother of two dead is still under investigation.

Police also noted that Venice is seeing an increased number of aggravated assaults, robberies and batteries, however, burglaries are dropping, Los Angeles police announced during a Venice Neighborhood Council meeting Tuesday night.

"We've seen about a 20% reduction in burglaries over the last few weeks," Officer Adrian Acosta of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Telling residents about recent burglaries and how to stay safe has helped, Acosta said. Keeping doors closed and locked, along with windows and garages has led to a decrease in the vehicle and residential burglaries.

Acosta also explained that the homicide investigation at the Venice Beach boardwalk earlier this month is still under active investigation.

Ky Thomas was shot about 5:25 p.m. Dec. 1 in the area of Ocean Front Walk and 17th Avenue and died at a hospital, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, which said the shooting was gang-related. According to police, a dispute had occurred between the victim, her boyfriend and three unidentified male suspects, who ran from the crime scene.

Thomas' mother, Cortlyn Bridges, said her daughter, a mother of two, was not a gang member. The victim is survived by an 8-year-old daughter and 1- month-old son.

Acosta shared another update on gang activity, describing the mounting tension in the area.

"We have a growing gang feud," he said.

Acosta described how this could be connected to gang activity in Chino Hills, reporting ongoing violence in the Venice area between Venice Crips and Playboy Crips—longtime rival street gangs.