LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A shoplifting suspect believed to have shot two security guards outside the Target store at the FIGat7th shopping mall was in police custody Tuesday following an hours-long standoff with LAPD officers at an apartment building in the downtown Los Angeles area.
The standoff began around 11:30 a.m. at an apartment building in the 1200 block of Ingraham Street, about a half-a-mile from where Monday night’s shooting occurred, and concluded at 4:52 p.m., when the suspect surrendered, police said.
The LAPD had set up a perimeter on the block after the suspect barricaded himself inside a residence.
Tuesday’s developments came a day after officers responded to the outdoor mall in the 700 block of South Figueroa Street, near Seventh Street, around 8:55 p.m. Monday to reports of several shots fired, according to the LAPD.
Store surveillance video showed a man attempting to walk out with a suitcase containing unpaid items — but when confronted by the security guards, he produced a handgun and fired multiple rounds at the victims.
One of the victims was an armed security officer employed by the mall and the other was a Target employee, LAPD Capt. Raul Jovel said Tuesday.
At least 10 rounds were exchanged, and some walls of the shopping plaza were also struck, Jovel added.
The suspect rode away from the area on a bicycle. He was last seen leaving the scene toward Eighth Street, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing information from police radio calls.
The two victims were taken to a hospital, with one in critical condition, according to the LAPD. The other victim was treated and released.
LAPD investigators described the suspect as a white man with Afro- styled hair in black clothing and a gray backpack. Jovel said he had a light complexion, was between 25 and 30 years old, about 6-feet tall and weighed around 170 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a black do-rag, black jacket, purple scarf and gray pants, and police believe he might still be armed with a 9mm semi- automatic pistol.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the shooting was asked to contact Detective Alvarez at 213-833-3750.
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