Victim in Glendale Gun Battle Identified as Bystander
A 19-year-old bystander was one of two men killed in a bloody gun battle between a group of extortionists and a merchant, Glendale police said Thursday.
The teenager, who police initially believed was one of the assailants, was actually a friend of the merchant’s nephew and apparently was “in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Police Chief James E. Anthony said.
“He was killed in the fracas,” Anthony said. “We’re still trying to piece everything together, but it appears that he had nothing to do with it.”
On Thursday, members of Glendale’s immigrant community reacted with dismay to details of the deadly extortion attempt and to assertions by city officials and police that such crimes are a growing cause of concern.
Police pieced together the encounter, saying numerous shots were fired at the Mirage Clothing & Shoes store shortly before midnight Tuesday. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the teenager as Edmon Tokatlyan of Glendale.
Authorities said one assailant, Artur Atayan, 27, of North Hollywood, also was shot dead. Five other suspects were arrested and remained in custody Thursday.
Another youth, the merchant’s 17-year-old nephew, was shot in the groin but was in good condition at a local hospital, authorities said.
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