Norwalk store owner shoots would-be robber to death; 2 others detained and 4th suspect on the run

Norwalk store owner shoots, kills robbery suspect

A Norwalk store owner shot and killed a man who was apparently trying to rob him. Two others were arrested and a fourth suspect is on the loose.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - Authorities say a store owner in Norwalk is shaken up after shooting and killing an attempted robber Tuesday morning.

According to Lt. Daniel Vizcarra from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the shooting took place around 9 a.m. outside Classic Tobacco near Firestone Boulevard and Studebaker Road.

"The store owner produced a handgun and struck one of the individuals," said Lt. Vizcarra.

Law enforcement says four thieves tried robbing the owner of Classic Tobacco at gunpoint as he opened shop Tuesday morning. That’s when the owner pulled out a handgun, shot and killed one of the alleged robbers. The other three suspects ran from the scene.

1 shot in Norwalk business area

Paramedics took one person to a hospital in unknown condition, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

"I could tell they had been running hard," said Afilio Gonzalez, a witness. "One of the guys put his hands up against the fence and was breathing really hard."

Gonzalez saw two of the suspects running while he was outside with his dog, just blocks from the shopping center.

"I now know that they had watched their associate get shot in the chest and they were getting the heck out of there," said Gonzalez.

LA County’s Special Enforcement Bureau located two of the suspects in a neighborhood about a mile from the shopping center.

"We saw two suspects backing up with their hands up," said Art Guzman. "We never see this kind of commotion going on. So you could say it’s scary because we have kids."

Authorities are now gathering evidence to give to the LA County’s District Attorney George Gascón’s Office. The DA’s office will determine if the store owner faces any charges.

"It’s going to be hours and hours of investigation, witness statements, possible surveillance, and then composing everything together and presenting to the District Attorney’s office and they’ll have the ultimate say," said Lt. Vizcarra.

Ultimately, one robbery suspect is dead, two are detained, while the fourth remains missing.

"They thought they were going to get cigarettes apparently," said Gonzalez. "Well, they didn’t get cigarettes. Don’t come to Norwalk and mess around."