A burglary suspect was shot and killed by a security guard after smashing a car into a West LA marijuana dispensary early Monday morning; police and witnesses reported that a possible accomplice fled the scene. Authorities arrived at ERBA Markets Weed Dispensary at around 3:15 a.m. to find a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound who was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries, CBS Los Angeles reports.
The incident occurred on Pico Boulevard and Centinela Avenue, as per the Los Angeles Police Department, detailing that the security guard opened fire after believing an attempted robbery was underway. The suspect had crashed his vehicle through the storefront, according to ABC7. Detectives have disclosed that the suspect, wearing a ski mask, might have been about 16 years of age, however, the identity has not been officially confirmed, and an investigation is ongoing.
While the security guard is currently not facing charges, video footage has captured the dramatic aftermath, showing the Hyundai sedan inside the dispensary and the suspect collapsing on the sidewalk, as per the Los Angeles Police Department. A second individual seen running from the scene, purportedly dropping evidence, is still at large, with Detective Samuel Marullo appealing for any information regarding his whereabouts in a statement obtained by FOX Los Angeles.
The local community at Pico and Centinela has been urged to help assist the authorities by reporting any relevant details that could lead to a conclusive identification of the potential second suspect or provide more insight into the situation, the intersection was shut down during the initial investigation, but it has since been reopened Det. Marullo told FOX Los Angeles.
