4 Suspects in Extortion Charged With Murders
Four suspects in an alleged extortion attempt against a Glendale merchant, which turned into a bloody shootout and left two dead, were charged with murder Friday.
The suspects, who were arrested shortly after the shooting late Tuesday at the Mirage Clothing & Shoes store on Glendale Avenue, also face charges of attempted murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.
The defendants are Gagik Kazarian, 42, of Glendale; Khoren Broutian, 32, of Hollywood; and Hovik Fiterz, 36, and Mger Tagvoryan, 23, both of North Hollywood. Charges were not filed against a fifth man, Omar Casas, 18, of Granada Hills, who was arrested after the shooting.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of one suspect and one bystander, has heightened concerns about extortion targeting Armenian businesses.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
