Store Owner Shoots Gang Member In North Hollywood 'Gun Battle,' Police Say
NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA) – An alleged gang member was injured during a shootout outside of a North Hollywood supermarket Monday morning.
The shooting occurred in the parking lot of Royal Fresh, located at 12811 Sherman Way, just after 8 a.m. Dozens of shots were said to be fired while both Royal Fresh and a Dollar Tree next door were open with customers inside.
According to Los Angeles police, the gun battle broke out between the owner of the supermarket and Armenian gang members who had been trying to extort thousands of dollars from the owner for weeks.
The gang was said to have tagged the store overnight and returned in the morning, at which point the owner was called to the store.
"Detectives had been investigating an extortion plot at the location for the past week," according to a statement from LAPD. "Graffiti was discovered on the outside wall of the business that stated, 'Pay me $100,000.00.'"
Police said the owner shot one of the suspects, hitting him in the arm and grazing his head.
"Unbeknownst to the suspects, the store owner was at the store (this morning). He was armed, and a shooting transpired at that point," Sgt. Frank Preciado said. "To our knowledge, only one suspect was shot."
The suspect was taken to a local hospital and placed in police custody. He was expected to be OK. According to authorities, the owner was not facing any charges as they believed the shooting was in self-defense.
Police were searching for three other suspects said to be in a light-colored, possibly white, Audi.
The entire shopping center was blocked off and both stores were closed for several hours while detectives investigated.
