Would-Be Robbers End up Shot After Approaching Armed Victim in Los Angeles: Police

The victim of a recent robbery attempt in Los Angeles opened fire, hitting two suspects, according to video footage and the Los Angeles Police Department. (LAPD)

The victim of a recent robbery attempt in Los Angeles opened fire, hitting two suspects, according to video footage and the Los Angeles Police Department.

A man with a shopping bag and two women are seen standing in a parking area near Melrose and Vista Street when a light-colored sedan pulls up near them. Two men then get out of the car, exchange words, and one of them then pulls a gun, according to the footage.

The male would-be robbery victim then draws his own weapon and opens fire while running backward. The shots send people running in different directions while the car drives away.

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release on Monday that two suspects who fled the scene were arrested and were injured by gunfire.

One suspect, 22-year-old Nicholas Brown of Los Angeles, was on parole when he was arrested. He was shot in the left thigh and was booked for attempted robbery, officials said.

The other suspect was identified as 28-year-old Markeil Hayes of Los Angeles and who is also on parole. He was shot in the right calf was booked for attempted robbery, the department said.

Investigators said they’re still looking for the driver of the light-colored car, identified as a Dodge Avenger. The driver was described as a black male.

“The Los Angeles Police Department is aggressively addressing a rise in violent crime in the Melrose area over the past year and is pursuing all leads involved in this and other crimes,” the department wrote, noting there have been an increase in robberies along Melrose.