LA police arrest suspect after shop siege

The victim’s identity has not been revealed, but she is believed to be a worker at the Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake.

“It’s just devastating. I can’t believe it”, she said, noting how Madison “raised him”.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said one woman was shot in the store and later declared dead at the site. It was not immediately known whether that woman was the one from the original shooting. “As is the valor & dedication of our men & women who strived to protect so many innocent people-Our thoughts, prayers & hearts are with all effected by this senseless incident”.

A Trader Joe’s employee, Melyda Eldorado, died in the standoff, which stretched over several tense hours Saturday before the gunman surrendered.

The exchange of bullets seemed to happen in an instant, witness Miguel Trujillo said. “We will continue to do whatever we can to support them”.

LAPD said a SWAT team was in place.

Authorities say earlier Saturday he shot his grandmother seven times and wounded another woman, who he forced into a vehicle. Garcetti said the woman was shot about seven times.

The Fire Department took six people to hospitals for non-life threatening conditions or injuries, police said.

Officers spotted the suspect’s auto near Hollywood and tried to pull him over, but the man refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit, Lopez said.

The incident began when the man’s auto crashed outside the store in Silver Lake after a chaotic police chase.

The suspect eventually cuffed himself and surrendered to authorities, where he awaits formal charges.

A stolen-car device helped police track the auto to Hollywood but Atkins refused to pull over, police said. But during the pursuit, police said the suspect opened fire on them, blasting multiple rounds at the trailing officers.

Police confirmed there were people still inside the store with the gunman, but they didn’t know know how many.

Aerial video shot from a helicopter showed armed officers carrying shields and a man walking out with his hands up. An employee was dragging an injured woman by the hands out the front door, he said. The suspect and police exchanged shots as customers and employees were caught in the crossfire. Some were seen escaping through a window toward the rear of the business and crawling down a ladder to safety. Police surrounded the building. One news outlet also reported the suspect used the telephone at one point during the ordeal to call a family member to check on the condition of his grandmother.

After around three hours the man emerged after being persuaded to give himself up and walk out in handcuffs.

“An active tac-alert has been declared to ensure all resources necessary will be available”.

Officers had tracked the auto using a stolen-vehicle tracking system and tried to stop the man in Hollywood, but he refused to pull over, Moore said. Police said he had a wound to his arm.

According to police, the suspect then dragged his girlfriend, 20, into his grandmother’s vehicle and fled the scene.

“She didn’t want the girl over there anymore”, Egland said. “I was at the Silverlake Trader Joe’s but I got out and am fine”. Notes left on the store wall offer messages like “rest in peace” and “thank you for your years of friendliness”. Three other people were evaluated but declined to be taken to hospitals.