1 Suspect Shot, 2nd Escapes in Robbery
A Van Nuys man was in serious condition Thursday after being shot by a Van Nuys liquor store owner whom he and an accomplice tried to rob at gunpoint, police said.
Walid Saad, 32, owner of House of Fredrick liquor store in the 13600 block of Burbank Boulevard, told police he shot Leo Bland, 32, in the back after Bland and another man robbed him at gunpoint of nearly $600, said Detective Rick Jamieson.
Police are searching for the suspect’s accomplice, who reportedly fired several shots at witnesses before fleeing on foot with the money.
According to police, Bland and the other man brought a six-pack of beer to the cash register late Wednesday night. The other man then drew a .357 magnum and demanded the cash from the register, police said. Saad gave the men the money, then drew a gun from his waistband and shot three times at both men, hitting Bland, police said.
Bland was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police plan to ask the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office to charge him with robbery, Jamieson said.
Saad was not arrested and will probably not be charged, although the case will be presented to the district attorney’s office, Jamieson said.
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