An encounter during a private shopping session at Sole and Laces in Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade turned deadly when the store owner shot and killed an alleged robber, according to the CBS News Los Angeles. A second man had forcibly entered through the backdoor, assaulting the owner with a chemical irritant before the owner, legally armed, fired in what's reported as an act in self-defense.
The suspect in question was swiftly taken to the hospital following the incident, where they died from their injuries. "The business owner, who was in possession of a legally-owned firearm, defended himself and shot one of the individuals inside," said Lt. Lewis Gilmour in a statement obtained by CBS News Los Angeles. The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to the scene within two minutes of the 911 call, and they currently regard the incident as isolated.
Karen Melikyan, the man who orchestrated the private shopping session, has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including homicide, armed robbery, and conspiracy. "The shop owner is shaken up," building owner John Alle told CBS News Los Angeles. "He took care of things and defended himself, and his life and his family, by using his gun." In light of recent trends within the area, Alle suggests that the decrease in crime statistics, particularly in thefts at businesses, may not reflect the full scope of criminal incidents due to concerns over insurance risks for reporting crimes.
An independent report by KTLA News confirmed that police were called to the 1300 block of the 3rd Street Promenade and that the man who was fatally shot is believed to have been in cahoots with Melikyan, the organizer of the attempted robbery. SMPD stressed that the indications are this was "a targeted incident involving individuals known to each other," and that there's no continued threat to the community at large.
Details concerning the investigation can be found on the official Santa Monica Police Department Facebook post, which urges anyone with additional information to contact officials. The business owner, whose identity has not been disclosed, is said to be cooperating with officers and was not injured in the altercation.
