Suspect Still Sought in Santa Monica Bookstore Slaying
Santa Monica police continued to search Saturday for the killer of a bookstore manager gunned down in a holdup during business hours Friday night.
Michael K. Nagel, who had been promoted recently to run Super Crown Books on Wilshire Boulevard at Harvard Street, was shot shortly before 8:45 p.m., authorities said.
Details of the crime remained sketchy.
The assailants had fled by the time the Santa Monica police’s special entry team arrived, Sgt. Harry Kutbaugh said.
At least 14 employees and customers were in the store when the shots were fired, Kutbaugh said.
Authorities found the victim in the rear of the premises, Kutbaugh said.
“We’ve never had anything like this happen to us,” said Marin Ein, a spokeswoman for Crown.
“Crown Books Corp., its management and associates throughout the United States are profoundly saddened by the senseless act of violence.”
Ein said the bookseller will establish a reward to help apprehend the suspect or suspects.
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