Gunman in Trader Joe’s hostage situation arrested, held on $2M bail, victim identified

Credit: Joe Raedle

Credit: Joe Raedle

One woman is dead and a suspect in custody after dozens of people were held hostage Saturday during a standoff at a Los Angeles Trader Joe’s supermarket.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 3:40 p.m. EDT July 22: The victim of a gunman who shot his grandmother and took dozens of people hostage at a Los Angeles Trader Joe's has been identified by police.

The Associated Press reported that, according to Los Angeles police spokesman Drake Madison, Gene Evin Atkins, 28, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was being held Sunday morning on $2 million bail.

A woman, identified as Trader Joe’s employee Melyda Corado, 27, was shot and killed when Atkins ran into the Trader Joes’s Saturday.

The AP reported that the victim's brother, Albert Corado, confirmed the news on Twitter.

“I’m sad to say she didn’t make it. My baby sister. My world,” the tweet read. “I appreciate the retweets and the love. Please respect my family’s privacy as we are still coming to terms with this.”

Update 9:06 a.m. EDT July 22: The Associated Press reported that police are working to determine why a man shot his grandmother and wounded another woman before crashing a car into a Los Angeles Trader Joe's, holding dozens of people hostage.

According to police, the suspect, who has not been identified, shot his grandmother seven times and wounded a woman he forced into his car. Another woman was shot and killed when he ran into the Trader Joe’s.

Police Chief Michel Moore told The AP it was not clear if the woman who was killed outside the store died from police gunfire or was killed by the gunman when he exchanged fire with police.

Six people, ages 12 to 81, are in the hospital, according to fire officials. None were shot and all were in fair condition.

Credit: Damian Dovarganes

Credit: Damian Dovarganes

Update 6:05 a.m. EDT July 22: Trader Joe's has released a statement about Saturday's deadly standoff in Los Angeles.

"Our hearts are broken over what happened today," read the statement obtained by KNBC. "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."

 

Original report: A man crashed a car and ran into a Los Angeles grocery store Sunday afternoon and took hostages during a standoff with police, authorities said.

The man was taken into custody after a tense standoff with police.

 

A hostage was killed during the incident, the Associated Press reported.

 

The incident started with the shooting of an older and younger woman in a residential area around 1:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police officer Mike Lopez told CNN. The Associated Press reported that the younger woman suffered a graze wound.

The shooter then fled in a Toyota Camry and crashed at a Trader Joe’s, before running into the store.

"We can confirm that there is an active barricaded suspect within a #TraderJoes in #Silverlake. An active tac-alert has been declared to ensure all resources necessary will be available. Please continue to stay clear of the area," Los Angeles police tweeted.

 

A 20-year-old woman was taken to a hospital and is in fair condition, CNN reported.

Video shows police carrying shields and ushering out a man who has his hands raised. A person who appears to be injured was carried off, and other people could be seen climbing out of the store down a rope ladder.

Credit: Damian Dovarganes

Credit: Damian Dovarganes

President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti have tweeted about the standoff. Trump's tweet has since been removed.

 

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