Authorities say there was one other employee in the store who witnessed the suspect fire several gunshots, hitting Tovar in the upper torso. Deputies say the shooting appears to be a botched robbery attempt.
Family members claim Tovar was confronted over the weekend by two young men who stole his gun, beat him, and threatened to kill him. Authorities say the suspect is a black man in his 20s, wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap. One man was detained for questioning, but deputies were not calling him a person of interest or a suspect.
If you have information related to this case, you're asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at (323) 267-4800.
