Suspect in Fatal Robbery in Custody
A robbery suspect whose accomplice was shot to death by a 12-year-old boy defending his grandmother turned himself in to Compton police Saturday.
Michael Anthony Powell, 19, of Santa Rosa, could be charged in the death of his accomplice, Dennis Smith, 16, of Compton, according to Compton police.
Smith and Powell tried to rob the 99 Cents Plus store at 745 E. Compton Blvd. last Sunday, police said. But the robbery went awry when an employee knocked the gun from Powell’s hand and began struggling with him.
When Smith began beating the store’s 62-year-old manager, her grandson reached for a handgun behind the store counter. The 12-year-old boy shot and killed Smith.
Powell fled and had been at large for a week. He was in custody Saturday night, police said.
Police said the boy will not be charged in the shooting.
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