Tag: fatal shooting

Karen Melikyan Arrested In Fatal Shooting During Attempted Robbery

May 20, 2025 ·

Photo courtesy of Daniel Von Appen.

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, May 19, Lt. Lewis Gilmour of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News a suspect was arrested in connection to a fatal shooting during an attempted robbery.

The SMPD reported on Sunday, May 18, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers responded within two minutes to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at a business in the 1300 block of 3rd Street Promenade.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the business owner was conducting a private, after-hours sale with a known associate when a second individual—conspiring with the known associate—entered the closed store and sprayed the victim with a chemical irritant.

Photo courtesy of the Santa Monica Police Department.

A struggle ensued and the victim, who was in legal possession of a firearm, shot the intruder. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from injuries sustained. His identity has not been disclosed pending notification of kin.

The associate, who coordinated the meeting, Karen Melikyan, 41, was detained at the scene and later arrested in connection with the attempted robbery. Melikyan is being charged with Homicide 187(a) PC, Robbery 211 PC & Conspiracy 182(a)(1) PC.

The victim (store owner) was not injured and is cooperating fully with investigators. Based on the evidence gathered, detectives believe this was a targeted and isolated incident involving individuals known to one another. There is no ongoing threat to the community.

Anyone with details about the incident, is asked to contact Det. Jauregui(Martin.Jauregui@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-4852, Detective Sergeant Goodwin (Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-8774, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

By Danny Jones

Armed Intruder Shoots And Kills Man In Woodland Hills

March 12, 2025 ·

Photo courtesy of David von Diemar.

WOODLAND HILLS—An armed intruder was fatally shot by a homeowner on Tuesday, March 11. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide investigators are assisting Arcadia Police Department with a shooting death investigation. The incident was reported at approximately 6:26 p.m., on the 50 block of Woodland Lane, Arcadia, 91006.

Officers from the Arcadia Police Department responded to the 50 block of Woodland Lane in Arcadia regarding a report of a male intruder and a gunshot victim at the location.  Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, who resided at the location, suffering from a gunshot wound.  The Arcadia Fire Department responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation is ongoing, and currently, there’s no additional information available at this time. Anyone with details about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

To provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use a smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

Kayla Denise Mackey Arrested For Fatal Shooting

January 29, 2024 ·

The LAPD are investigating a fatal hit-and-run involving a pedestrian in Studio City. Photo by David Von Diemar via Unsplash.

SANTA MONICA—On January 26, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News that a suspect has been arrested for a fatal shooting that occurred on January 25.

The SMPD reported on January 25 at approximately 10:25 a.m., officers responded to a call of Shots Fired in the 2600 block of 29th Street in Santa Monica. Officers located the victim in the shooting seated in his parked vehicle. He was identified as William Edwards III, a 46-year-old male from Los Angeles. He was taken to a local hospital in grave condition where he later died.

Witnesses who saw the suspect leave the scene, gave officers with her general direction of travel. Detectives worked tirelessly throughout the day to identify and locate the suspect who was taken into custody on Friday, January 26 in West Los Angeles. A motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

Arrested for the shooting is Kayla Denise Mackey, 27, who the SMPD indicated was experiencing homelessness. Her booking photo is expected to be released in the coming days per Lt. Aklufi.

The SMPD is asking anyone with information related to Mackey or the shooting to contact Detective Burciaga at George.Burciaga@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Gradle at Ryan.Gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

Agri Shahrian Fatally Shot In Woodland Hills

August 29, 2023 ·

WOODLAND HILLS—Agri Shahrian, 30 of Woodland Hills, was fatally shot over the weekend in Woodland Hills. His body was identified Monday, August 28, and police are pursuing an investigation.

On Saturday, August 26, police arrived at the 21000 block of Erwin Street at around 7:10 a.m. after receiving a report of a “man down.” According to the LAPD, “Responding officers located a single male victim down in the driveway of a nearby apartment complex. The victim had sustained a gunshot to the chest.”

Shahrian died at the scene. There is no suspect information available at this time.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call LAPD Valley Bureau homicide detectives at 818-374-9550, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Tipsters may also use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Christianne

LAPD Investigating Fatal Shooting In Topanga

August 29, 2023 ·

TOPANGA CANYON—Homicide detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Operations Valley Bureau are investigating a fatal shooting that left a man dead on Saturday, August 26. The LAPD reported that at 7:10 a.m., patrol officers with the Topanga Division responded to a call of a “man down” at the 21000 block of Erwin Street.

Officers arrived on scene to find a single male victim lying in the driveway of a nearby apartment complex. The victim had sustained a gunshot to the chest. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel arrived on scene and paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The name of the victim has not been disclosed to the public. He is described as a Persian male of approximately 30-years-old. No information about a suspect in the case has been disclosed to the public.

Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact OVB Homicide at (818) 374-9550. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls can be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone who wants to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

Man Shot Dead At Reported Illegal Gambling Operation

May 31, 2023 ·

HOLLYWOOD HILLS— A fatal shooting that occurred at 3341 West Cahuenga Boulevard – near Universal Studios – left a male victim, believed to be a security guard, dead at the scene on Wednesday, May 31. The suspects remain at-large and an investigation is being conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department Homicide Division, LAPD Public Information Officer Lee told Canyon News. 

At around 3:40 a.m., patrol units from the North Hollywood LAPD Station responded to reports of a fatal shooting at the 3300 block of West Cahuenga Boulevard. Officers arrived at the scene and discovered an “illegal gambling establishment,” as well as a Hispanic male in his early 30s, suffering from multiple gun shot wounds. No further details about his identity are available at this time. 

It appears that two men entered the building through a back entrance – which is listed as a The Roof Hookah Lounge – wearing ski masks and armed with rifles. They were reportedly confronted by a security guard, who reached for his pistol and was shot multiple times by at least one of the suspects.

“This may have been a botched robbery attempt,” Detective Richard Moakley told ABC 7 News. The suspects reportedly searched the building for money for “only a minute” before fleeing empty handed down a back alley.

Approximately 30 people were inside the building – described as a two-story establishment with a hookah lounge on the top floor and  “some sort of gambling operation” on the lower level – at the time of the incident, Moakley said. Poker games were going on simultaneously, ABC 7 News reported. 

Investigators reportedly remained at the scene for 12 more hours following the incident. The number of suspects involved and their identities cannot be confirmed at this time. 

This is an on-going investigation. Anyone with information about this shooting, the illegal operation and/or the identities of the suspects is urged to contact the LAPD or submit an anonymous tip at https://www.lacrimestoppers.org/

By Lacy