A tragic incident unfolded in South El Monte, California, on Wednesday when Kourosh “Steve” Yaghoubi, a 63-year-old store employee, was killed while attempting to stop shoplifters at his family’s Giant Discount Store. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that the incident occurred around 12:18 p.m. outside the store located at 2039 Durfee Avenue.
Yaghoubi, who was visiting his brother’s store, noticed two to three individuals stealing merchandise, including a box of face masks worth $10. He chased the suspects into the parking lot, where a physical altercation ensued. According to the Los Angeles Times, one suspect entered a dark-colored sedan and deliberately struck Yaghoubi multiple times, resulting in his death at the scene from blunt force trauma.
The suspects fled in an unknown direction, leaving the community in shock. Yaghoubi’s brother, John Yaghoubi, expressed his grief, stating, “I lost my older brother four years ago, and my mom is 94 years old. She’s still in mourning for the first one. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her.” KCAL/KCBS reported that Yaghoubi’s brother Jamshid “Jim” Yaghoubi attempted to assist him until paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Yaghoubi family has faced tragedy before, as another brother, Rahmatolah “Davey” Yaghoubi, was beaten to death in 2021. The family is now grappling with another loss. The New York Post described Steve Yaghoubi as a community man who was “a real nice guy.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be left at (800) 222-8477 or via the Crime Stoppers website.
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