The Local Malibu recently confirmed at least two high ranking officers have been transferred from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department as a result of an Internal Affairs Investigation regarding the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings.
The officers, which we are choosing to keep confidential to allow the Internal Affairs investigation process to be completed without public scrutiny, are a part of an investigation regarding procedural issues involved in at least 5 attempted murder cases and the murder of Tristan Beaudette.
The Internal investigation also includes potential procedural errors on the day Anthony Rauda was arrested.
OVER AND OUT (for now…)
Last Tuesday, one of the high ranking officers involved in the investigation, wrote an email to his colleagues upon learning of his transfer to another department which some have referred to as a “demotion”.
“Late Tuesday I was advised by our acting unit commander, that there is an internal affairs (IA) investigation with possibly several department supervisors named as subjects.” said the officer to his team. “I have been led to believe this is administrative only and not criminal. I have NOT been relieved of duty.” the officer continued.
The shake-up at LASD headquarters started only a week into incoming Sheriff Villanueva’s four year term, and immediately after Beaudette’s widow filed a $90 million dollar lawsuit against LASD and the State.
Erica Wu, the widow of Tristan Beaudette, is suing LASD and State Parks for neglecting to inform the public of the crimes that were occurring at Malibu Creek State Park leading up to the murder of Beaudette on June 22nd, 2018. Wu’s lawyer said they “have confirmed there were aware of at least seven unsolved shootings in Malibu Creek State Park,” and that they “failed to care and provide a safe space for Beaudette and his children, instead causing his death.”
The high profile apprehension of Anthony Rauda on October 10th, 2018, one month before the Sheriff’s election, raised numerous questions as to the timing of and legitimacy of his arrest.
While LASD has continued to further the narrative that Anthony Rauda is indeed responsible for the shootings and the murder of Beaudette, they still refuse to confirm a ballistics match to the murder weapon. This narrative is misleading and the public continues to believe they are safe while the possibility of one or more shooters responsible for these crimes may be at large.
Last week, an incident involving a man with a shotgun and numerous weapons in his vehicle outside Erewhon Market in Calabasas. An employee, who was on break sitting on his car in the parking lot, saw the suspect and alerted authorities.
The man, described by law enforcement as “mentally unstable” was detained without incident, however, the officer did state this situation “could have been tragic for the community” (as reported on NextDoor by a resident who spoke to the officer).
Sudden Impact?
The question now is, how will the Internal Affairs investigation, which has had a profound impact on our local Sheriff’s Department (as well as at LASD Headquarters) impact the case against Anthony Rauda?
Rauda was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and the murder of Beaudette on January 7th, 2019 – coincidentally the first day Sheriff Villanueva took office.
However, at this point, it looks like it is a case of smoke and mirrors… and like I said in my last article, the only thing that truly stopped the shootings was not the arrest of Anthony Rauda, but the devastating Woolsey Fire.
Follow Us