Businessman Slain in Clash With Loiterers

An Atwater Village business owner who armed himself with a rifle to chase away a group of loitering men was shot to death with his own weapon and his friend was seriously wounded, authorities said Monday.

The businessman, whose name was withheld until relatives could be notified, was shot during an argument with four or five men at A.Z. Sheet Metal in the 3500 block of Hollydale Drive about 11:50 p.m. Sunday, Lt. Rob Watters said. The man was pronounced dead on arrival at Glendale Memorial Hospital.

Officers discovered a second victim inside the closed business. That man, whose name also was withheld, was in guarded condition at County-USC Medical Center.

Watters said a dispute between the men escalated into a fight and the business owner armed himself with a rifle. The suspects wrested the gun from the victim and shot both victims.