INSIDE SMMUSD Announces Free and ReducedPrice Meals for 2024-25 School Year smmirror.com
July 19 - July 25, 2024 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
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This Homeless Santa Monica Resident Saved a Teenage Girl From a Vicious Beach Attack City Council’s Commendation for Wilker Was Made at Its Most Recent Meeting on July 9 By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica City Council commended a local unhoused resident for her heroic efforts in fighting off Jawann Garnett, who now faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison for his actions, from assaulting and possibly attempting to murder a teenage girl on Santa Monica Beach in late June. On June 24 just before 10 a.m., Jenna Wilker was on Santa Monica beach when she witnessed Garnett attempting to strangle and rape a 17-year-old girl. She acted promptly to pull the perpetrator away from his victim, but was punched and bitten by the man before he continued attacking the teenage victim. Soon after, Garnett then began assaulting a woman in her 70s, pulling her into the ocean and holding her underwater. Authorities arrived within minutes, halting Garnett’s rampage and taking
him into custody. The juvenile victim was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries and later released. The other two victims, including Wilker, were treated on scene by lifeguards and fire department personnel. Following the incident, the District Attorney charged Garnett with attempted murder and felony child abuse for the attack on the juvenile, assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury and assault with intent to commit rape for the attack on Wilker, and attempted murder and kidnapping for the assault on the elderly woman. Garnett, who is currently homeless, has a criminal history in Los Angeles County that includes prior arrests for assault with intent to commit rape, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, and domestic violence. City Council’s commendation for Wilker was made at its most recent meeting on July 9. “Jenna’s actions demonstrated selflessness and courage under extreme circumstances, and prevented further harm to the victim and helped the SMPD apprehend the suspect. Jenna’s actions highlight the important role a bystander can play when they see someone in need of help.” Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock stated on LinkedIn. A GoFundMe page titled “Let’s House Our Hero, Jenna Wilker” aims to
raise $15,000 in order for Wilker to find a residence and help pay for food and other bills. At the time of this writing, the campaign has raised over $4,600 across 123 donations. On July 1, Wilker posted an update to the GoFundMe that stated “Please keep this going and get me into a place I don’t know how much more of being out here
I can take.” Two days later, she posted another update that said “Don’t let this slow down we are so close to getting me into a place it is crazy. Please share, I really can’t do this anymore.” The GoFundMe can be found at h t t p s : / / w w w. g o f u n d m e . c o m / f / l e t s house-our-hero-jenna-wilker.
Child Abductor Arrested After Victim Rescued: Report p.m. Friday after the child was Officers Reportedly 12:11 taken from a Panda Express on Lincoln The suspect, identified as Located the Child Boulevard. 31-year-old Breanna Taylor Shields, apprehended, and the child was and Suspect Nearly was rescued unharmed from the Holiday located less than half a mile from 30 Minutes After a Motel, the restaurant. The swift response followed a plea 911 Call for help from the child’s grandmother. Aklufi detailed the extensive search Shields was arrested on suspicion of A 4-year-old girl who was abducted from a Santa Monica restaurant was found safe within hours, authorities said. The Santa Monica Police Department responded to a distress call around
According to CBS News Los Angeles, more than 30 personnel, including officers, civilian workers, drone operators, and a K9 unit, canvassed the area. Santa Monica police Lt. Erika
operation in an interview with ABC7, stating, “There were at least 30 of our department personnel out searching for her.” Officers located the child and suspect nearly 30 minutes after the 911 call.
kidnapping, a felony charge punishable by up to 11 years in prison. Her bail is set at $100,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.