Business Owner Shot During Robbery NR11379BB

August 16, 2011

Los Angeles:  LAPD Wilshire Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating three robbery suspects who shot a business owner during the commission of a robbery in the Wilshire Area.

On Monday, August 15, at around 9:30 p.m., three armed robbers entered a small family owned store in the 1300 block of 2nd Avenue.  The robbers confronted a store employee and demanded access to the owner who was in a rear room.  After their demands were met, the owner was robbed of several thousand dollars in cash.  One of the suspects placed a handgun to the owner’s head and fired a round, striking the owner in the head.  The shot was not fatal.  The suspects fled the scene and are only described as three male Hispanics, possibly Central American.  At this time, the motive for shooting the owner is unclear.

The shooting victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition and is expected to survive.  Detectives are actively investigating this crime and will disseminate updates when they become available.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Wilshire Area Robbery Detective Bob Palacios at 213-473-05144 or 213-922-8266.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.