D. A. Won’t File Charges Against Youth

The Los Angeles district attorney’s office Wednesday declined to file charges against a 14-year-old in the shooting death of a Van Nuys man killed when he confronted gang members with a shotgun.

“We determined from the evidence presented by police that the 14-year-old did not fire the shot that killed the victim,” said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office. “The shot that killed the victim was fired by another person standing some distance away.”

Ara Papazyan, 46, was killed Sunday evening after he and his son Vrezh, 19, exchanged words with a group of gang members at a market in the 6700 block of Hayvenhurst Avenue, police said. As the Papazyans left the store, they heard gunshots and thought that the gang members might have fired at them.

Armed with a shotgun, Ara Papazyan returned to the store about 9 p.m. and confronted the gang members, one of whom shot him in the head, police said. Witnesses provided information that led to the arrest of the 14-year-old, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile.

But Gibbons said Wednesday that “as far as the 14-year-old’s actions, he was being chased by a man with a loaded shotgun. He was armed with a starter pistol. He did not fire the fatal shot.” Police are seeking a second suspect.