Clerk Killed During Robbery at West Covina Market; Teenage Suspect Arrested

Clerk Killed During Robbery at West Covina Market; Teenage Suspect Arrested
A 17-year-old boy is arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a clerk at a West Covina liquor store in West Covina, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2023. (Courtesy of West Covina Police Department)
City News Service
10/12/2023
Updated:
10/12/2023
0:00

WEST COVINA, Calif.—A 17-year-old boy was arrested Oct. 12 on suspicion of fatally shooting a 34-year-old store clerk during a robbery carried out by an additional suspect at a market in West Covina.

Officers dispatched about 8:45 p.m. Sunday to Big Bob’s Liquors & Market, 1413 W. Puente Ave., discovered Karanvir Singh suffering from gunshot wounds to the upper body, the West Covina Police Department reported.

Paramedics took Mr. Singh to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said two suspects entered the market and stole merchandise.

The clerk confronted the pair and was shot multiple times. The two male suspects left the scene in a white SUV, West Covina police Sgt. C. Tedesco told City News Service.

One of the suspects, a 17-year-old, was taken into custody Thursday and charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with first-degree murder.

Due to the suspect’s age, police did not release information regarding his identity. Police said the teenager was being held at a juvenile detention center and is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on Friday at the Pomona Courthouse.

The shooting remains under investigation, and detectives were seeking the public’s help with information in identifying the second suspect.

West Covina police urged anyone with any information regarding the robbery to call them at 626-939-8688. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477, or tips can be sent to the website.