While fleeing police after a shooting in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, a 28-year-old man crashed a car outside of a Trader Joe’s grocery store and ran inside, prompting a gun battle and hours-long standoff.
The store, located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of L.A., had about 40 to 50 people trapped inside as hostage negotiators worked with the still-unidentified man. According to The Los Angeles Times, over the course of three hours, the suspect allowed some people to leave. Others snuck out, crawling through windows on a chain ladder.
#Breaking: Now watching people climb out the window at Trader Joe’s in #Silverlake. Heartbreaking. #cbsla @cbsla pic.twitter.com/s1BXwGcJZ3
— Peter Daut (@CBSLAPeter) July 21, 2018
The man — who had been wounded in his left arm during the shootout prior to him entering the store — eventually handcuffed himself and surrendered. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti held a news conference afterward, where he said a woman inside the Trader Joe’s had been killed. ABC News later identified her as the store manager, Melyda Corado. Police confirmed that she was shot by the gunman.
Our hearts break for the victim killed at the #SilverLake #TraderJoes and their loved ones. https://t.co/r55FOamdWZ
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) July 22, 2018
CNN reported that of the hostages, six people ranging in age from 12 to 81 were taken to the hospital afterward, though they were all in “fair condition” with no life-threatening injuries.
The entire ordeal with the man began as a “family dispute,” in South L.A., The Los Angeles Times reported. Police said he shot his grandmother at least seven times and injured another woman before dragging her into his grandmother’s Toyota Camry — the car he crashed outside of the Trader Joe’s. There, she was removed from the vehicle. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said the woman suffered a relatively minor head wound and she’s now in good condition. The suspect’s grandmother, however, is in critical condition after undergoing surgery.
The destructive and tragic consequences one person can inflict are at the forefront of our minds tonight, 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 pic.twitter.com/NFXrM52tm3
— Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) July 22, 2018
Trader Joe’s PR director Kenya Friend-Daniel issued a statement on the incident. “Our hearts are broken over what happened today. This has been an incredible trauma, and our thoughts are with our Crew Members and customers. Our focus is on doing whatever we can to support them at this time. We appreciate everything Los Angeles law enforcement did to ensure an end to this ordeal.”
The investigation into the hostage situation and death of Corado is ongoing.