Suspect Barricades Himself After Shooting

A man kept police at bay for more than three hours Monday afternoon after he shot another man, then barricaded himself in his backyard apartment, authorities said.

The victim, Michael Giles, was shot in the right shoulder about 3:30 p.m., authorities said. Friends drove Giles to Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar where he was listed in stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Police said Giles had gone to a backyard apartment in the 13700 block of Gladstone Avenue where he argued with Eric Frost, 36, about a rent payment. Frost then shot Giles once in the upper shoulder, said Los Angeles Police Capt. Stan Ludwig.

Frost barricaded himself in the apartment, police said. LAPD tactical officers with a bullhorn failed to persuade him to come out. About 7 p.m. police reached Frost by phone and he surrendered without incident, Ludwig said.

It was not clear late Monday whether Frost will face charges of assault with a deadly weapon or attempted murder, Ludwig said. Frost was taken to the LAPD’s Foothill station jail.

There were conflicting reports about the relationship between Frost and Giles. Police said they thought Frost owed Giles rent money.

But William Noble, a roommate, said Frost got into an argument with Giles’ brother, Bob, earlier in the day and it was Bob Giles who owed Frost rent money. When Michael and Bob Giles returned in the afternoon, Frost shot at them through the door, Noble said.

Noble said Frost is a keyboard player, and that all five people in the house were musicians.

Police said the backyard apartment included a sound stage and that Frost lived there at least some of the time.