The Trader Joe’s market that was the scene of a deadly shootout and hostage crisis in Silver Lake over the weekend will remain closed until further notice, company officials said. The store was the final scene in a violent rampage allegedly perpetrated by 28-year-old Gene Atkins, who police said shot his grandmother in the South L.A. home they shared, kidnapped his girlfriend and led officers on a wild chase from Hollywood to the Trader Joe’s market in the span of a few hours Saturday afternoon. When it was all over, Atkins was in custody and one store employee was dead — killed by gunfire from an unknown shooter. Now police are working to determine if the employee, identified by family members as Melyda Corado, was fatally wounded by the suspect or the Los Angeles Police Department. 1 / 16 Paolo Singer, 27, of Silver Lake prays at a memorial outside of Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake, where a shooting left one woman dead and at least two wounded Saturday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 16 A portrait of Melyda Corado, who was shot and killed Saturday, is pinned to a memorial outside Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 16 Fiona Shields, of Los Feliz, leaves a note at a memorial outside of Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake on Monday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 16 A couple embrace at a memorial Sunday night for Melyda Corado, a store manager who was killed in Saturday’s shootout involving a gunman and LAPD officers at Trader Joe s in Silver Lake. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 16 Members of the community pay their respects Sunday night to Melyda Corado, a store manager who was killed in Saturday s shootout involving a gunman and LAPD officers at Trader Joe s in Silver Lake. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 16 Members of the community pay their respects Sunday night to Melyda Corado, a store manager who was killed in Saturday s shootout involving a gunman and LAPD officers at Trader Joe s in Silver Lake. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 16 Community members mourn for Melyda Corado, the Trader Joe’s store manager who was killed Saturday in Silver Lake. Photographs by Marcus Yam Los Angeles Times (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 16 People embrace outside a Trader Joe’s market after a gunman took dozens of people hostage inside the store before surrendering to police. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 16 A woman is evacuated on a gurney outside the Silver Lake Trader Joe’s where a gunman held hostages for several hours. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 16 A gunman suspected of shooting two people at a South L.A. home before opening fire outside a Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake is in custody after a tense standoff. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 16 The scene around the Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake after a police pursuit ended near there and a hostage drama ensued. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 16 Officials push a gurney to the scene of the Silver Lake Trader Joe’s where a gunman held hostages for several hours. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 16 Los Angeles police SWAT officers escort a group of people who were held for their safety by police at businesses surrounding a Trader Joe’s market after a gunman took dozens of people hostage inside the store before surrendering to police. (Damian Dovarganes / AP) 14 / 16 Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, center, and Police Chief Michel Moore, right, brief the media at a news conference after a gunman held dozens of people hostage inside a Trader Joe’s market before surrendering to police in Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes / AP) 15 / 16 A woman is evacuated on a gurney outside the Silver Lake Trader Joe’s where a gunman held hostages for several hours. (Damian Dovarganes / AP) 16 / 16 In this image from video provided by KNBC-TV, Los Angeles police remove a passenger from a car that crashed after police pursuit of a driver who then ran into a nearby Trader Joe’s market in Silver Lake. (KNBC-TV via AP) Advertisement Trader Joe’s released a statement regarding the shooting Sunday: “To Our Valued Customers, Yesterday marks the saddest day in Trader Joe’s history as we mourn the loss of one of our own. Our thoughts are with her family, and our Crew Members and customers who experienced this terrifying and unimaginable ordeal. Our Silverlake store will remain closed until further notice to give our Crew Members time to process yesterday’s events. We will continue to do whatever we can to support them. Thank you for your understanding and outpouring of support.” Police continue to investigate the incident. Detectives will be canvassing the area for security camera videos and additional witnesses to help piece together the incident, said LAPD spokesman Chris Ramirez. The suspect’s cousin, Charlene Egland, said Atkins lived with his grandmother, whom she identified as Mary Madison. “He’s not a killer,” Egland said Monday. “He had a lot of stuff on his mind.” Advertisement The 63-year-old said she visited Madison — her aunt — in the hospital the day before. She was out of surgery and recovering in ICU, she said. As relatives flowed in and out of the room, Madison tried to speak, but had a tube in her throat, making her words incomprehensible. The family prayed for her recovery, Egland said. Doctors told Egland that Madison was shot three times — in the chest and leg — not the seven that has been widely reported, and that Madison would have to have an additional operation on her hip. On the day of the shooting, Cyrani Ackerman was inside Trader Joe’s with her daughter Morgan when they heard gunshots in the parking lot. Advertisement “We heard the screech of tires and the crash. We started scrambling before we even heard shots,” Ackerman said.<doc-sep>An hours-long standoff ended in a Los Angeles grocery store Saturday with at least one person dead and the suspect's grandmother undergoing emergency surgery. Police say the suspect initially shot his own grandmother as many as seven times before stealing her car and taking a woman, whom he reportedly also shot, hostage along with him. The deceased victim was identified as Melyda Corado, a Trader Joe's store manager, according to the Los Angeles Times. As police pursued, there was an exchange of gunfire as the injured suspect crashed the vehicle and holed up in a Trader Joe's store in the Silver Lake neighborhood, The Associated Press reported He was missing a tire and rim on the right side of his car as he crashed into a pole outside the store, one witness who'd just been inside the Trader Joe's told KCBS. "It was really just a scary moment," said the witness, who recalled another customer's gut-wrenching reaction after seeing the scene unfold. "The customer said, 'My kids are still inside.'" Per an LAPD statement, the suspect held multiple victims hostage within the store, where as many as 50 people were shopping at the time.The suspect was in contact with police over the course of the three-hour standoff, during which a woman was reportedly shot dead inside the store. Police were able to rescue many customers through multiple entrances and at least one store window. The suspect also released hostages as he negotiated with police via a phone, cops said. Police eventually convinced the suspect to handcuff himself and surrender. The grandmother was rushed into emergency surgery in "very grave" condition, according to reports. "The destructive and tragic consequences one person can inflict are at the forefront of our minds tonight," LAPD Chief Michel Moore tweeted. "As is the valor & dedication of our men & women who strived to protect so many innocent people-Our thoughts, prayers & hearts are with all effected by this senseless incident." RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>Melyda Corado, the Trader Joe's store manager killed in Silver Lake who was identified by family members, is shown in an undated photo. KABC LOS ANGELES, California -- A Trader Joe's in California remained closed Sunday following a deadly hourslong barricade situation that unfolded the day before.Investigators continued combing the area 12 hours after an armed chase suspect ran into the market and held several people hostage for about three hours, starting around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.The store manager, identified by family members as Melyda Corado, was shot and killed during the incident, possibly in the crossfire between LAPD officers and the suspect.Around 1:30 p.m. in South Los Angeles, authorities said the suspect was involved in a family dispute, eventually shooting his 78-year-old grandmother seven times before fleeing the scene with a woman he'd also shot.The suspect took the woman, who may be his girlfriend, into a vehicle and drove off. Authorities tried to stop him in Hollywood, but he led them on a chase. At one point, he opened fire on officers from the vehicle, shattering his back window.During that shooting, the suspect crashed into a pole near the Trader Joe's in the 2700 block of Hyperion Avenue. He was shot in the arm and then ran inside the supermarket as authorities returned fire, shooting out the glass doors of the business.Employees and customers inside the store dove for cover as the bullets flew. Police believe Corado was shot inside the store, possibly during this shootout. Authorities tried to render aid, but she died at the scene.As the standoff continued, the suspect held people hostage and made demands with crisis negotiators. But around 6:30 p.m., the suspect surrendered and walked out with the hostages. He asked if he could place the cuffs on himself, authorities said.The suspect, who has not been identified, is said to be about 28 years old.Trader Joe's released a statement following the incident.Authorities said the suspect's grandmother was in critical condition at the hospital and the other woman he shot only suffered a graze wound to her head. She is expected to survive.The area was expected to reopen around noon. Authorities urged people to stay away from Hyperion Avenue and Griffith Park Boulevard until the investigation wrapped up.<doc-sep>SILVER LAKE (CBSLA) — The LAPD on Sunday morning identified the suspect apprehended Saturday following an hours-long hostage situation at a Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake that left one woman dead. Gene Evin Atkins, 28, has been booked for murder. His bail was set at $2 million. Atkins is accused of shooting his grandmother and his girlfriend in South L.A. before leading police on a pursuit in Silver Lake, ultimately crashing into a pole outside the Trader Joe’s. #LAPD ID’ed 28 YO Gene Evin Atkins as suspect in #TraderJoe shooting in #Silverlake. He’s booked for murder. Bail set at $2M. pic.twitter.com/LLTF66pDsS — Jeff Nguyen (@jeffnguyen) July 22, 2018 The L.A. County Coroner has identified the victim as 27-year-old Melyda “Mely” Corado, a store manager at Trader Joe’s. It is not clear if Corado was shot by Atkins or by police in the crossfire. The store’s security guard was overcome with emotion as he lamented not working Saturday. “It’s like I lost one of my family,” said Raymond Shahnazarian as he wept. “Since yesterday,[…] I couldn’t drive to come here to see this. Resident’s of one of L.A. oldest enclaves came together Sunday, leaving flowers and cards for Corado at a makeshift memorial outside the store. “I just can’t imagine what it’s — you know, I’m a mother and I have a child near her age. I can’t imagine if he went to work one day and then just this could happen,” Pam Burian told CBS2, appearing hold back her tears. Corado was remembered as a kind person who liked to make people laugh. Her brother Albert Corado mourned her passing via Twitter. I’m sad to say she didn’t make it. My baby sister. My world. I appreciate the retweets and the love. Please respect my family’s privacy as we are still coming to terms with this. #TraderJoes #SilverLake — Albert Corado (@digitalurn) July 22, 2018 I miss my sister. I wish this wasn’t happening. Feels good to be with family, though. My dad is doing his best to keep it together. I am, too. Family is coming to visit from as far away as Australia. #MelydaCorado you were immensely loved. — Albert Corado (@digitalurn) July 22, 2018 Atkins’ 76-year-old grandmother and his girlfriend, 20, were taken to local hospitals. His grandmother was listed in grave condition and upgraded to critical after undergoing surgery. His girlfriend was listed in fair condition. Atkins’ cousin told CBS2 their grandmother was attempting to speak at the hospital, trying to find out what happened to her grandson, whom she raised. “That was her baby,” said Deshon Hayward. “He can’t be in his right mind. […] What’s going on? What made you do this?” It is speculated Atkins shot his mother over his girlfriend. “My grandma’s 76, she’s old-school. She don’t do all that, you know, ‘You coming to my house, and your girlfriend coming over.’ No,” said Hayward. Some of the people caught in the melee inside and outside the store described the scene. “Naturally, I’m a human being. I felt terror,” said 91-year-old Don Kohles. He was in the store’s parking lot when the incident began. A CBS2 producer was one of the dozens of people who were in the store when the standoff began. “I just had this, like, resolve that came over me, that I am not gonna die today, and that I’m gonna run,” Lynne Westafer said. She was one of the last hostages released, but not before living some moments of true terror. “He said he was gonna kills us. […] The really scary part was when he noticed an officer with a rifle on the roof of a cheese store next door,” recalled Westafer. “Five! Four! Three! Two! […] It escalated to the point where he started counting down, that he was gonna shoot people.” Westafer said an employee she knew simply as “Victor” stepped up to wrangle the hostages. “Victor turned around and said, ‘It’s gonna be OK, and I’m gonna be the last one out of here.’ And I thought, ‘You’re like 23 years old! How do you do that? It was amazing!” Westafer was released around 5:30 p.m., about an hour before the standoff ended. Trader Joe’s released the following statement Sunday: “To Our Valued Customers, Yesterday marks the saddest day in Trader Joe’s history as we mourn the loss of one of our own. Our thoughts are with her family, and our Crew Members and customers who experienced this terrifying and unimaginable ordeal. Our Silverlake store will remain closed until further notice to give our Crew Members time to process yesterday’s events. We will continue to do whatever we can to support them. Thank you for your understanding and outpouring of support.” A GoFundMe campaign was launched for Corado. (© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)<doc-sep>
A 28-year-old Los Angeles man has been identified as the suspect in a wild car chase and gun battle that left one woman dead and sparked panic inside a Trader Joe’s store in Silver Lake, authorities said Sunday. Gene Atkins is being held in lieu of $2-million bail on suspicion of murder, according to Officer Drake Madison, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman. Investigators have said Atkins shot his grandmother and kidnapped another woman in South L.A. on Saturday before leading police on a chase that ended near the parking lot of the popular Hyperion Avenue grocery store. For the record: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the dead woman’s brother as Alpert Corado. His first name is Albert. LAPD Chief Michel Moore said it appears the slain woman was wounded as she was exiting the Trader Joe’s during the shootout. It is unclear if the fatal gunshot was fired by Atkins or a police officer, he said. The victim was identified by relatives as Melyda Corado, a manager at the store. Atkins’ cousin, Charlene Egland, said Atkins had been involved in a feud with his grandmother over his girlfriend’s presence at the home they shared on East 32nd Street in South L.A. Egland said Atkins was raised by his grandmother, who repeatedly cared for him despite prior run-ins with police and sometimes violent arguments that would erupt between the two family members. “Whenever he got into something, she’d go to his rescue; that’s why I can’t even believe what he did to her,” Egland said. (Ellis Simani / @latimesgraphics) Atkins shot his grandmother several times and then kidnapped the other woman in his grandmother’s Toyota Camry, police said. The other woman suffered a head wound, though it was not clear if she had been shot or pistol-whipped, according to Moore. Police said Atkins’ grandmother was in critical condition on Saturday. Egland said Sunday she had made it through surgery and was expected to survive. Hours after the violent clash at Atkins’ grandmother’s home Saturday morning, police found the Camry in Hollywood using transmissions from its anti-theft device, and a chase ensued. The gunman blew out his own rear window while firing at police, officials said. The pursuit ended with the Camry crashing into a light post outside the Trader Joe’s. Atkins and the pursuing officers traded gunshots outside the store, according to witnesses and police. The gunman then ran inside, trapping dozens of shoppers and employees, witnesses said. Several could be seen crawling out windows, while the gunman allowed others to leave during an hours-long negotiation with the LAPD. Bloodied and unnerved, he paced the inside of the store, holding a gun and shouting as terrified hostages hid behind food displays. Cyrani Ackerman, 49, told The Times she was walking toward the checkout line with her 19-year-old daughter when the screech of tires sent her scrambling. As gunfire began to erupt outside, many customers fled toward the back of the store, either cowering in bathrooms or ducking in aisles as far away from the melee as possible. “Seven of us were hiding in the back behind the bread,” she said. “There was a lot of shots fired.” The gunman stayed near the front of the building with about five employees, according to Ackerman, who said at some point the gunman noticed people had found ways to exit the store. He ordered one of his hostages to walk the aisles and round up anyone else who was hiding, including Ackerman and her daughter. Ackerman said she noticed a lot of blood in the store but did not know about the death of the store manager while she was hiding. She said she overheard the gunman talking to police as he demanded to speak with his grandmother and referred to someone being dead. The comments caused her and others hiding inside to grow even more fearful. “He said to the police that it was their fault for her being dead,” Ackerman said. After a three-hour standoff, Atkins surrendered to police. He is expected to survive his injuries, Moore said. The woman killed at the store was identified online by her brother. “I’m sad to say she didn’t make it. My baby sister. My world. I appreciate the retweets and the love,” Albert Corado tweeted Saturday. “Please respect my family’s privacy as we are still coming to terms with this.” Calls to the coroner’s office seeking additional comment Sunday were not immediately returned.