Police ID Teen Killed in Gunfight 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 local merchant, police said Thursday.

The teenager, who police initially believed was among several assailants, was actually a friend of the merchant’s nephew who 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 an account of the deadly encounter, saying numerous shots were fired at the Mirage Clothing & Shoes store at 620 S. Glendale Ave. shortly before midnight Tuesday. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office Thursday identified the dead teenager as Edmon Tokatlyan of Glendale.

Authorities said one assailant, Artur Atayan, 27, of North Hollywood, was also shot dead. Five other suspects were arrested and remained in custody Thursday. Police said they are considering seeking charges from racketeering to murder.

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.

Police said the merchant, whose name is being withheld because police fear for his safety, knew that the men were going to his store to demand money, so he called his brother for help. At about the same time, police said, the merchant’s nephew and the 19-year-old friend stopped by to borrow a car.

Authorities said an argument occurred over protection money. The suspects allegedly assaulted the merchant’s brother and began firing shots. The merchant then grabbed his own gun and began firing back.

Police said they were unsure how many shots were fired but Anthony said “there were bullet holes everywhere” inside the store.

The merchant is believed to have acted in self-defense and is not a suspect in the case, police said.

The incident raised concerns by authorities who fear that business extortion is a trend in Glendale’s growing immigrant population.

Police said there were only three other reported cases of extortion in the city in the past two years--each involving businesses owned by Soviet Armenian immigrants--but that more incidents are probably going unreported.

“We also have a lot of crimes, particularly arsons, assaults and residential takeover robberies which we feel are in fact extortion cases, but the victims often won’t tell us everything they know so we can only investigate it as a robbery or an arson,” Sgt. Rick Young said.

Anthony said others may remain unaware of the extent of the problem because most victims are unlikely to discuss it openly.

“I’m not saying it’s rampant. I’m saying it’s there,” Anthony said. “They may not be aware of the potential problem. I think we have to pay attention to it.”

The community representatives said the shootout was tragic, but that it does not represent a widespread problem among immigrants.

“We’re not aware of--in any way, shape or form--any extortion that is systematic,” said Rafi Manoukian, an accountant and chairman of the Glendale chapter of the Armenian National Committee, a grass roots organization. “I’m certain if it happened it would not be kept quiet.”

Efrain Olivares, president of the Glendale Hispanic Business Professional Assn., said he was unaware of anything more than unspecific rumblings about extortion in the city.

“I certainly haven’t experienced it myself,” said Olivares, who owns an architectural and planning firm in the city. “If I had to point to something specific in Glendale I couldn’t do it.”

Anthony said the latest case heightened his concern about the problem.

“When lives are lost that’s serious,” he said.

The community leaders said they believe business extortion is no more frequent in Glendale than elsewhere.

“I’m sure it exists to some point but to what degree I don’t know,” said Olivares, who also is a member of the city’s Planning Commission. “It’s not something one lets go because it’s too close to home.”

Hernandez is a Times staff writer and Ryfle is a special correspondent.