The man accused of taking hostages during a deadly standoff with officers at a Silver Lake Trader Joe’s in July was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.
Gene Evin Atkins, 28, faced 51 criminal counts, including murder in the death of a store employee struck by police gunfire during the July 21 incident.
He was also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer and kidnapping.
According to Los Angeles police, Atkins shot his 76-year-old grandmother and kidnapped his girlfriend in South L.A. before officers started pursuing him. Atkins allegedly shot at officers from his vehicle before slamming into a light post in Silver Lake, where he continued to open fire while running into a Trader Joe’s store on Hyperion Avenue.
LAPD returned fire and struck Melyda Corado, a 27-year-old store manager, officials said.
“It’s every officer’s worst nightmare,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said days after the shootout.
Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in November, seeking details surrounding the standoff.
Prosecutors alleged Atkin set off the events that led to the victim’s death and charged him in the incident.
In a previous court hearing, a judge granted Atkins’ request to represent himself.
“I would like to go proper,” Atkins said.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News