2 Suspects Charged in Drummer’s Murder

Two Pacoima men already charged with attempted murder in a Jan. 15 robbery and shootout at a Northridge restaurant were charged Tuesday with murder in the killing two months ago of a musician at a Studio City restaurant.

Howard D. Holt, 28, and Claude E. Davis, 27, both paroled felons, are accused of the Nov. 27 murder of Vartan Mouradian, 33, while robbing the Grecian Village restaurant.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Carole Anne Chizever also charged the pair Tuesday with attempting to kill security guard Delos Santos on Dec. 27 while robbing a Burbank Ramada Inn.

In addition, Chizever filed 43 counts of robbery against the pair, accusing them of holding up patrons and employees at the White Horse Inn in Northridge on Nov. 8, Reuben’s Restaurant in Northridge on Nov. 14, Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park on Dec. 27 and Cinnamon Cinder Bar in Burbank on Jan. 15.

Holt and Davis have been in custody since they allegedly robbed and terrorized customers and employees of the Grandview Chinese Restaurant in Northridge on Jan. 15, then shot at police called to the scene by the restaurant owner, authorities said.

In the exchange of gunfire, one policeman was wounded in the buttocks, and Holt was shot in the wrist, police said.

As a result of the Northridge robbery and shootout, each man is charged with two counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault and four counts of robbery.