B M ONDAY, JUNE 22, 2020 :: L ATIMES.COM/CALIFORNIA L.A. officials are unfazed by mounting virus cases

lized — even though the Tally is rising because number of new cases in- creased by nearly 20,000 in of more testing, but the last two weeks and by other metrics point to more than 3,600 just over the weekend. stabilizing, experts say. Two key indicators — the positivity rate and average By Alex Wigglesworth number of daily hospitali- zations — have continued to Bartenders over the remain relatively steady, weekend began mixing while average daily deaths drinks, gyms turned on ellip- have declined, L.A. officials tical machines and nail sa- said. It is always possible lons began polishing away as these numbers could start County re- going up, either from spread opened more of its economy from reopening businesses, even as coronavirus cases from recent protests over continued to rise. the police killing of George The county, a hotbed of Floyd or other reasons. Offi- COVID-19 in California, now cials said they are monitor- has reported more than ing the metrics closely and 3,000 deaths and 80,000 con- could impose new restric- firmed cases. The rising case tions if needed. numbers have sparked some “The most important worry about whether the data continues to be looking economy is reopening too at our death data and our quickly and that easing stay- hospitalization data and our at-home orders could cause rate of positivity, and ... all of new outbreaks. the indicators really point to But health officials con- the fact that we are fairly sta- tinue to discount those con- ble and that we in fact con- cerns, saying total new cases tinue to slow the spread of Gabriella Angotti-Jones Los Angeles Times is not the best measure of COVID-19,” Barbara Ferrer, STEVIE CARPENTER, a 25-year-old L.A. City College graduate, withdrew from a chemistry course that community spread because the county’s health director, moved online, which could threaten his plans to transfer to UC Davis in the fall to study neurobiology. of aggressive levels of new said Friday. testing. They point to other As of Sunday, there were metrics they say show that 1,426 confirmed coronavirus Compounding crises for the local outbreak has stabi- [See Coronavirus, B2] junior-college students Many in L.A. struggle with online classes, basic needs amid COVID

a teacher…. It’s difficult to just read a tem during their final months of the By Nina Agrawal book and go off the examples,” he said. academic year, and it portends fur- Instead, he received an “excused” ther troubles as the Los Angeles Com- Stevie Carpenter dropped out of withdrawal, jeopardizing his admis- munity College District will continue high school, earned his GED, enrolled sion to UC Davis and threatening his with primarily online instruction in at Los Angeles City College and at age plans to become the first in his family the fall. 25 has been accepted to attend UC of 10 children to attend a four-year With nine colleges and an annual Davis this fall, where he plans to study university. enrollment of more than 200,000, the neurobiology. “Hopefully, I can take it again” at district serves some of the most vul- But the COVID-19 pandemic has UC Davis, Carpenter said. “If not, I am nerable students in the state’s sys- Jason Armond Los Angeles Times thrown another major challenge at going to have to apply for the following tems of public higher education. An NATIVE AMERICAN dancers join others outside him: online classes. Carpenter school year.” estimated 1 in 5 were homeless before the Compton sheriff’s station Sunday in a protest couldn’t keep up with general chem- Carpenter’s experience reflects the the pandemic, and more than half over the fatal shooting of Andres Guardado. istry, a requirement for his major. struggles of many students in the na- were food insecure — circumstances “I couldn’t take chemistry without tion’s largest community college sys- [See Students, B5] Protesters want answers in killing Violence recalls journalist’s death of Gardena man the peaceful demonstration In 1970, Ruben Salazar May 31 and got to work: ob- serving the scene, doing Los Angeles County sheriff’s was killed by a deputy. spot interviews and keeping ‘Why’d you kill that deputy. Authorities said This year, reporters an eye on Long Beach police Guardado was armed and officers in riot gear holding a kid?’ crowd asks at site had fled from deputies, but again come under fire. line near 3rd Street and Pine where a deputy shot have not said what Avenue. prompted the shooting. By Daniel Hernandez He called in details to the Andres Guardado, 18. “He ran because he was news broadcast at Southern scared,” one of the pro- Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, a California Public Radio. By Brittny Mejia, testers’ signs read. “Why’d radio journalist in Los Ange- “Just as I said goodbye to the Anh Do you kill that kid?” the crowd les since 2000, responded host, things changed,” Guz- and Laura Newberry chanted. with the typical affirmative man-Lopez said. “Police offi- People in cars raised when he got a request from cers started to move up, that Protesters and sheriff’s their fists in solidarity and his editor on a Sunday to caused some of the pro- deputies engaged in a tense honked their horns. Aztec cover some news. He’d be testers to get more vocal, standoff Sunday evening dancers beat drums at the out at that afternoon’s anti- start chanting and yelling over the officer-involved front of the procession. police-brutality protests in louder. That’s when I heard shooting of a Gardena man, Protesters marched his home city of Long Beach. the pop,” he said. with authorities using what down West Redondo Beach Sure thing. At that moment, the re- appeared to be tear gas to Boulevard, where Guardado “The march was happen- porter felt a sting at his disperse a small group who was shot, filling the street as ing like 10 minutes from Los Angeles Times throat and watched as an had broken off from the oth- they headed toward the where I lived, so I said yes,” A PROTESTER in 1995 holds a mock coffin with the object bounced to the erwise peaceful demon- sheriff’s station in Compton Guzman-Lopez recalled. “I name of Ruben Salazar, a Times columnist who was ground near him. It was a stration. over three miles away. got ready, got my equip- killed in 1970 while covering a Chicano antiwar rally. rubber bullet. In a daze, “We don’t want to see Guardado’s aunt, Edis ment, food, water, mask and Guzman-Lopez ran to a your children hurt,” some- Abarca, was there with an El everything.” parking lot. A few people one announced from a sher- Salvador flag wrapped Guzman-Lopez didn’t stopped to help him and no- iff’s helicopter, urging fam- around her body, reflecting know then, but by day’s end ticed blood. “I went to my car ilies to leave so that they the country her family fled he’d be reprising elements of Fight for public School dumps to tell my editor what hap- were not exposed to pepper because of civil war. a notorious event from 50 health funding Rebel mascot pened, and that’s when I spray or tear gas and to pro- When asked how her fam- years ago, when another needs lobbyists Officials at Quartz Hill tweeted the picture that’s tect themselves from ily felt, she said, “Broken.” nonwhite L.A. journalist High in the Antelope gotten around,” he said. troublemakers. Protesters said they were went to cover a demon- Persuading lawmakers Valley say that they are The image shows a Hundreds of demon- concerned the shooting was stration and had a brutal en- to increase spending in dropping Johnny Rebel bloody red welt right at the strators gathered in Gar- unjustified and demanded counter with the police. a time of cuts is more after 56 years. B3 base of Guzman-Lopez’s dena earlier to demand jus- more answers from author- The KPCC reporter, difficult amid the lack throat. (Guzman-Lopez is tice for Andres Guardado, ities, who have provided few wearing press credentials of political clout. B2 Lottery ...... B2 still recovering and provided an 18-year-old Latino man details on the events that led and a blue polo, arrived at [See Journalists, B4] fatally shot Thursday by a [See Guardado, B5]

SPORTS INSIDE: Wild’s resume — Galaxy forward, circus performer and winning chef. B7 LATIMES.COM MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2020 B5 Protesters demand answers in deadly shooting

[Guardado, from B1] tion into this tragic death. up to Guardado’s death. There must be full transpar- “What happened to An- ency so the public can trust dres was not only a tragedy, the investigation and we it was an outright crime,” know we are getting the said Ron Gochez, a member truth.” of Union del Barrio, which Homicide detectives do organized the demon- not have any video of the stration. “This is just one shooting, Wegener said, and more of so many people who they are still working to get have been killed by the L.A. footage from the scene from County sheriffs and the po- a third-party vendor. lice.... This is the unity be- Barragán and Waters tween the Black and brown criticized deputies for not community saying we are wearing body cameras — tired of this.” equipment that, according Guardado was shot to Villanueva, he has been about 6 p.m. Thursday after asking since December a confrontation with depu- 2018, his first month on the ties near a Gardena auto job. body shop, said Capt. Kent At a news conference, Wegener of the homicide bu- Sheriff’s Cmdr. Chris Marks reau. Guardado was speak- said officials are close to ing with someone in a car awarding a contract for body that was blocking the loca- cameras that will be sup- tion when deputies from plied to 5,200 uniformed the Compton sheriff’s sta- deputies working patrol tion pulled up, Wegener jobs. said. When the crowd of pro- Guardado fled, holding a testers arrived at the Comp- gun, with two deputies chas- ton station on Sunday, they ing him on foot, Wegener were met by metal barri- said. One of the deputies cades and at least a dozen Jason Armond Los Angeles Times confronted him and opened deputies in riot gear. MOURNERS pay their respects at a memorial to Andres Guardado, 18, who was shot by a Los Angeles County fire, striking him in the up- “Show us the tape!” they sheriff's deputy Thursday night in Gardena. When asked how her family felt, Guardado’s aunt said: “Broken.” per torso six times. He was chanted. pronounced dead at the As protesters banged on scene. a metal fence, a deputy Authorities said they do pointed a yellow projectile not know whether gun at them. Guardado had pointed his “Put the gun down!” the weapon at the deputy, and crowd yelled in response. they did not say whether As most of the protesters Guardado fired any shots. began to head out, a smaller Guardado’s family said group faced off against a line he had worked as a security of sheriff’s deputies in riot guard for Street Dynamic gear. Soon after, there were Auto Body, close to where he pops and smoke and calls for was shot. Authorities said a medic. Protesters rinsed Guardado was under the 21- their eyes with milk. year age requirement to be a Before the confrontation, guard in California. the crowd parted so that Guardado was not wear- Christopher, Guardado’s fa- ing a uniform at the time of ther, could make his way to his death, and the .40-caliber the front. Christopher kept semiautomatic pistol he was apologizing as he struggled carrying was not licensed, to find the words. authorities said. “As a parent, you feel so Sheriff Alex Villanueva much pain,” he said. told reporters on Saturday Guardado’s cousin, Steve that investigators were still Abarca, was also in the gathering evidence but did crowd. “I don’t know what to not provide an explanation think. I don’t know what to for why Guardado was shot. say,” he said. “I have to be U.S. Reps. Nanette Bar- here.” ragán and Maxine Waters Guardado was attending and Los Angeles County Su- Los Angeles Trade-Techni- pervisor Mark Ridley- cal College to become a me- Thomas on Saturday called chanic or electrician, his for independent investiga- family said. He was also con- tions, including one led by sidering joining the Army state Atty. Gen. Xavier Be- and had only recently cerra. started working at Street “Another day, and anoth- Dynamic Auto Body. er Black or brown kid has “My cousin was not sup- been shot in the back by po- posed to die like that,” Gabriella Angotti-Jones Los Angeles Times lice,” Barragán and Waters Abarca said. AFTER THE coronavirus outbreak hit, Stevie Carpenter said, his work as a math tutor for disadvantaged said in a statement. “These students dried up. Many didn’t know how to navigate community colleges’ online student services, he said. killings must stop.... We de- Times video journalist mand answers and call for Jackeline Luna contributed Crisis hits community colleges hard an independent investiga- to this report.

[Students, from B1] to withdraw from courses or ing his high school diploma Even before the pan- exacerbated by the crisis. switch to a pass/no pass before enrolling at City Col- demic, online education was OBITUARY NOTICES District data show that grade, and instructing facul- lege in 2017. He is studying bi- difficult. A 2015 review by the online learning hindered the ty to give generous allow- ology with the goal of trans- Public Policy Institute of Place a paid notice latimes.com/placeobituary trajectory of many students. ances to students whose ferring to a university in 2021 California found that only Search obituary notice archives: legacy.com/obituaries/latimes More than 32,000 students personal circumstances im- and, ultimately, attending 16% of online courses in Cali- withdrew from classes in peded the completion of fi- medical school. fornia community colleges spring 2020, compared with nal exams or assignments. Geronimo, who shares had pass rates of 70% or about 27,000 in spring 2019 — Still, said Brian Ha, a stu- expenses and a two-bed- higher, compared with 44% a 17% increase. Roughly dent worker and Associated room apartment in Lincoln of traditional classes. 2,000 students in “hard-to- Student Union president at Heights with his brother, sis- Echeverri is particularly convert classes” — including , ter-in-law and cousin, was worried about students who those in health fields such as students struggled. laid off from his part-time will come to community col- nursing and biotechnology, “The hardest obstacle job busing tables at a West lege in the fall from the K-12 and career and technical was getting the resources to restaurant just system. courses such as auto me- attend class,” said Ha, who before campus closed. “I worry that when those chanics — are in educational monitors an online platform “Everything came up to- students come to us, they’re limbo because their hands- and social media sites where gether and … blocked my going to have certain aca- BOTTUM, MaryElizabeth SCHIFFER, Ruth “Kelly” on coursework could not students post questions. mind from focusing on my demic deficiencies,” she Hustead May23, 1922 -June 15, 2020 continue, said Angela “And the students who do education,” Geronimo said. said. MaryBottumdied peacefully in her Ruth “Kelly”Schiffer wasbornin home Thursdaymorning surrounded NewYork City and passedaway at Echeverri, president of the have resources, their obsta- “It was really difficult to deal Students’ struggles with by her four children. Born in Wall, college district’s Academic cle is self-motivation.” with all those emotions.” academics have been com- her home in LosAngeles.Her legacy South Dakota, she attended St Mary’s is one of an elegantwoman with Senate. Ha said students in- He received a Chrome- pounded by a lack of sup- College in NotreDame,Indiana. In asophisticatedeye for design, and Additionally, of more quired about laptops and book from the district and a port services. Most faculty 1959 she movedtoLos Angeles with steadfast generositytoher lovedones. than 9,000 students who low-cost internet service, $50 gift card to use at Ralphs and students had some fa- her husband,Roswell,and raised Kelly eloped with CliffordSchifferon her family.Marywas adedicated Valentine’s Dayof1942, informing her filled out a district survey in the effect of withdrawals on or Food 4 Less, but he is still miliarity before the pan- Hospicevolunteer and accomplished April about the online tran- their transcripts, their abil- plowing through savings. demic with Canvas, the on- parents thatshe wasmarried on the pianist,who took joyinplaying at mid- cross countrydrive to California. sition, only three-quarters ity to complete lab courses Though he succeeded in Cal- line learning management the LA County Jail SundayMass for They were happily married for 61 said they had regular access and assistance for students culus 2, his Chromebook system used by the colleges, over twenty years. She waspreceded years.Carole camealong ayear later to a computer, and just a with disabilities. He said he overheated during a chem- but the district had just be- in death by Ros,her husband of 35 and daughterKim, tenyearsafter slightly higher share said the was lucky because he had istry final and he earned a C. gun to use Cranium Cafe, its years,and her brother Billy.Her rye that. Herchildren were the pride and humor,frankness and warmth earned joy of Kelly’s life,second onlytoher same of internet access. saved up and bought a lap- As for biology? Geronimo online platform for student her friends in everychapter of life.She One-third of students said top in October, and will still dropped it once he saw his services such as counseling grandchildren. will be missed by all,especiallyher Kelly highly valued education they didn’t have a quiet transfer to UCLA as planned grades slipping on online ex- and tutoring. children, Catherine,Elizabeth, Roddy throughout her lifetime.She urged study space. Almost half this fall. ams. “It’s my major and I Carpenter, the neurobiol- andStephanie;herninegrandchildren; and imbued her children and said they had dealt with job Others had a harder want to pass that class with ogy student at City College, sister,Catherine; twosons-in-law and grandchildren and manyothers to dear companion, Francis Montgomery. enrich themselves.She devoted much loss or reduction of hours, time. an A,” he said. also worked as a math tutor Avirtual servicewill be held and 72% said they had in- Michael Duggan, a for- Plus, he doesn’t want to in a program to help disad- of her life to learning and teaching 6/23/2020, 11:00 AM,atStBrendanLA. aboutartandculture, andworkedhard creased worry or anxiety. merly homeless student at arrive at university having vantaged students. Before org. In lieu of flowers,please send to bring those opportunities to others. The killing of George City College, applied for a done only virtual labs. Ge- the pandemic, he said, his donations to HomeboyIndustries. Kelly servedfor 45 years as adocent Floyd in late May and the en- district-issued laptop the ronimo hopes to retake biol- hours were always booked. FIELDS, Philip at LACMA. She wasapresident of the suing protests and police vi- day the announcement ogy with the in-person lab After, only a couple of stu- Foreign Arts Council,anactivetouring Mount Sinai Memorial Parks olence further traumatized came out. In April, for the this fall. But if his college dents signed up. member of the DecorativeArtsCouncil, Simi Valley 800-600-0076 and wasone of the few docents at students. first time, he sat down at his doesn’t offer it in person, he “Most of them didn’t www.mountsinaiparks.org LACMAtotour the glass collection. “Our students are trying desk and typed out an essay. said, “I don’t have another know about [Cranium Cafe] She waspassionate about music and to prepare for their upcom- “This is the first time I’ve choice but to take it” online. or didn’t know how to navi- GOLDBLATT, Fred M the theater, servedaspresidentof ing final exams … while cop- ever been able to do home- The district is working gate it,” he said. May 7, 1934 - June 17, 2020 the CenterTheaterGroup as well as a ing with many obstacles in a work at home — the first out what to do with “hard- Carpenter called the lack Died at home in Laguna Woods member ofTheBlue Ribbon Ladies. Aprivate and reservedperson, with time of enormous social tur- time I’ve ever had a laptop to-convert courses,” Echev- of counseling, tutoring and under family and hospice care on June 17 following a long, heroic battle with agreat sense of style,she navigated bulence,” a June 1 letter from and Wi-Fi,” he said. “Before erri said. In the spring, facul- other supports “the down- cancer. Fred lived most of his 86 years lifewithhumour,kindness, and afeisty Echeverri, faculty guild that, I used my cellphone or ty members had the benefit fall for students,” who rely on in the San Fernando Valley, graduating spirit.Kelly will be greatly missed by President Joanne Waddell the school library.” of completing five weeks of such services not only for from North Hollywood High School in her children, Carole and Kim, Kim’s and district Chancellor But there were gaps. in-person instruction, but practical help with meals 1951. He attended USC and graduated husband Bob, and her grandchildren Melanie,Morgan and Connor,her Francisco Rodriguez to col- Duggan, who gets by on $200 they say they may not be and books but also for con- from UCLA with a degree in accounting. Fred spent his professional career sister Harriet Schecter, her long-time lege faculty said. a month in cash assistance able to make do with zero in nection and mentorship. primarily with the Harvey Aluminum companion and champion, Enriqueta The letter cited the dis- from L.A. County and food the fall. Erika Miller, director of a Co. and Harvey Capital. Flores. trict’s survey results and stamps, couldn’t get to a Each discipline is submit- support program at South- He enjoyed fishing, puttering in Formoreinformation or to leave said the pandemic “has only printer to apply for an “Ange- ting requests for in-person west College for low-income, the garden and traveling. Fred loved anotefor thefamily,please visit her page on the mountsinaiparks.org exacerbated the inequities leno card” — financial assist- hours, but the costs and lo- first-generation college stu- spending time with family and friends. His favorite expression was “It’s 5 website. experienced by our students ance from the mayor’s office. gistical requirements of pro- dents and those with disa- o’clock somewhere”. and communities.” And he still faces food inse- viding them in a safe way bilities, said many “feel at a He was predeceased by his parents, To place an obituary ad The district has tried to curity. may be prohibitive, espe- loss.” dentist Dr. Charles and Lillian please go online to: respond to these simulta- “I really struggle day to cially because the district is “A lot of our students ar- Goldblatt. neous crises, mobilizing to day,” he said. facing state budget en’t sure if they even want to Fred is survived by his wife Marge of latimes.com/placeobituary distribute close to 14,000 Elias Geronimo, a 30- cutbacks. Professors must continue with their studies,” 50-plus years; son Ross, MD; daughters Marla and Alexa; son-in-law Mike; Chromebook laptops, giving year-old from Guatemala, prepare to offer alternatives she said. “They keep saying grandchildren Sam, Rachel, Dana, or call out gift cards to grocery spent years in adult school — or have their classes over and over to us, ‘I’m not Lauren, and Nico; and sister Ruth; and 1-800-234-4444 stores, providing flexibility learning English and earn- bumped. sure if I’m gonna make it.’” many nieces and nephews. A Family and Friends memorial will be held at a later date