INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Suspect Surrenders To Hostages, One Woman Dead As Trader Joe’s Standoff Concludes

By Inquisitr Staff
Published on: 14:30 PST, Jul 21, 2018

CNN reports that the man who took hostages and barricaded himself inside a Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake is now in custody. One hostage, an unidentified woman, was reportedly shot and killed inside the store.

According to WBIR10, Officers used mirrors to try to look inside the Trader Joe’s as hostages periodically came out the front door with the hands raised. Finally, the suspect exited the store with what appeared to be his hands already cuffed.

Four hostages clustered around the suspect in what some are saying was a move designed to protect the wounded man. Police surrounded the group, separated the suspect, searched him, and put him in a waiting ambulance. He appeared to have blood on his left arm.

The suspect has not yet been identified, although Chris Holmstrom posted on Twitter from the scene of the shooting, where the suspect shot his grandmother seven times. The suspect also shot his girlfriend, who he then forced into the grandmother’s car and used to flee the scene. The girlfriend and grandmother are both being treated at area hospitals, and are reported to be in stable condition.

The woman who was killed at the Trader Joe’s remains identified. The injured woman who was retrieved from the vehicle the suspect crashed when he fled police, was identified only as the suspect’s girlfriend.

The LAPD Twitter account posted this update Saturday evening.

According to NBC 4, the suspect asked for handcuffs, then walked out of the store and surrendered.

The Eastsider tweeted reports that one woman was shot and killed inside the store.

The woman was reportedly shot and died from her injuries. According to Deadline, Eric Garcetti announced the death, and said that the woman was pulled out of the store and pronounced dead on the scene by authorities. No other details were released as the mayor announced they would first try to reach the woman’s next of kin.

According to various reports coming in from Twitter, the gunman was injured. Several remaining hostages, all shoppers, reportedly talked him down and convinced him to give up his weapon.

NPR reports that the suspect has been identified by police only as a black male in his twenties. Jonathon Levine from The Wrap commented on Twitter about a witness interviewed by CNN.

According to People, a family reunification center has been set up for those seeking relatives who may have been involved in the incident. Family members may call (323) 561-3211 for more information.

Share this article: Suspect Surrenders To Hostages, One Woman Dead As Trader Joe’s Standoff Concludes
More from Inquisitr