A 41-year-old man who was killed during the botched robbery of a Santa Monica business owner was identified Friday.
The suspect, identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as Artashes Barsegyan, was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Officers responded around 9:30 p.m. Sunday to the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade to reports of a possible assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
According to police, a business owner was conducting a private after-hours sale with a “known associate” when a second individual — apparently conspiring with the associate — entered the closed business and allegedly sprayed the business owner with a chemical irritant.
“The victim, who was in legal possession of a firearm, shot the intruder,” police said in a statement.
Detectives identified the associate who coordinated the meeting with the business owner as Karen Melikyan of Los Angeles, 41, who did not sustain any injuries and was cooperative during their investigation, police said.
He was arrested and booked on suspicion of homicide, armed robbery, and conspiracy. He was being held in lieu of $2 million bail.
According to court records, Melikyan’s next court date is set for Thursday at the LAX Superior Courthouse in Westchester.
Police said the attempted robbery and shooting appeared to be an isolated incident, and there was no ongoing threat to the community.
Anyone with additional information regarding the robbery or shooting was urged to contact Detective Martin Jauregui at 310-458-4852 or Martin.Jauregui@santamonica.gov. Detective Chad Goodwin can be reached at 310-458-8774 or Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov. The watch commander is also reachable at 310-458-8427.