 A Trader Joe's employee killed during a crime-spree in Los Angeles last weekend was struck by a police bullet -- not the suspect's bullet -- Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said at a news conference Tuesday. LAPD Chief Michel Moore told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that investigators have determined that one of two officers accidentally shot 27-year-old Melyda Corado while engaging in a shootout with the suspect, 28-year-old Gene Evin Atkins. She was hit by one round that went from her left arm and into her body, Moore said. Atkins appeared in court Tuesday to face more than 30 charges, including one count of murder, six counts of attempted murder, 13 counts of false imprisonment of hostages and one count of felony evading. Atkins' bail was set at $18.775 million and his next court appearance is scheduled for August 14. 12:15 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from the victim’s brother, a statement from Trader Joe’s and details of the charges against the suspect. Atkins then led police on a 15-minute car chase as he fired his gun through the back window at the pursuing officers - who did not return fire at that time, authorities said. During that time several employees and customers were able to escape and Atkins released others at various points during the ordeal, police said. The teenage girl was rescued from the car and was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to her head, police said. That's when police returned fire and Corado was fatally shot, according to Moore. "As a father, as an individual, it is unimaginable, the pain of the Corado family, and everyone that knew her.
– Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore had the toughest of jobs Tuesday: to announce that the Trader Joe's employee killed during a shootout in Los Angeles on Saturday lost her life to a bullet fired by police, not the suspect. "I am truly sorry," Moore said about 27-year-old Melyda Corado's death. "As a father, as an individual, it is unimaginable, the pain of the Corado family, and everyone that knew her. And we share that pain today." He said the officers involved will forever wrestle with the choices they made, though he believes "my officers' actions were taken to defend themselves and in direct response to the deadly threat" and therefore were appropriate. An investigation into the officers' actions is ongoing. ABC News reports he also detailed a timeline of the crime, which was allegedly sparked by a feud between a man and his grandmother over his girlfriend staying at the grandmother's home. Moore said Gene Atkins, 28, shot his grandmother several times and ultimately led police on a chase that ended when his vehicle crashed into a pole outside the grocery store. Moore said Atkins fired at cops as he ran toward the entrance; Corado had come to the same entrance upon hearing the crash and was struck in her left arm in the process. The bullet entered her body. "Miss Corado ran back inside the store and collapsed behind the manager’s desk," Moore said, per the Los Angeles Times. CBS Los Angeles reports that, among other charges, Atkins faces one count of murder in connection with Corado's death.