A 41-year-old man was in custody Monday on suspicion of conspiring to rob a business owner in Santa Monica, where his alleged accomplice was fatally shot by the intended victim.
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.
That suspect was taken to a hospital, where he died. His name was not immediately released.
Detectives identified the associate who coordinated the meeting with the business owner as Karen Melikyan of Los Angeles, 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.
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 310-4588427.