Armed Robbery Suspect, 19, Killed by Off-Duty Officer
A 19-year-old armed robbery suspect was shot to death by an off-duty Los Angeles police officer at a Gardena restaurant over the weekend, Gardena police said.
Three armed men entered the Yoshinoya Beef Bowl on Redondo Beach Boulevard about 9 p.m. Sunday and held up the cashier. Officer Peter Zarcone, who was eating at the restaurant with his son, attempted to halt the robbery, said Gardena Police Lt. Ron Panter. At that point, one of the three men opened fire on the officer, wounding him in the left calf, and Zarcone returned the fire, Panter said.
The dead man was identified as Willie Williams of Los Angeles. He is no relation to Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams.
Gardena police asked surrounding police departments for assistance. Two suspects were caught in a nearby residential area, where police recovered two handguns allegedly used in the robbery.
Demund Johnson, 18, and a 17-year-old suspect, whose name was withheld, were arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted robbery and assault on a peace officer, Panter said. Both suspects are from Los Angeles.
Zarcone was taken treated and released at a nearby hospital.
Gardena police are investigating.
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