Officers responded at 8:51 p.m. Thursday to 4044 Eagle Rock Blvd. and found a man suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Officer William Cooper of the Los Angeles Police Department.
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Investigators said the two suspects entered the Rite Aid and walked directly to the beer display and took a case of beer each. Miguel Penaloza, an employee, confronted the suspects as they attempted to flee without paying. A brief struggle occurred and one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and shot Penaloza.
The suspects, both 18 to 20 years-old, fled through the parking lot in an unknown direction. One was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 200 pounds, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black shorts, and black shoes with white trim. The second suspect was described as 5-feet-8 inches tall and about 145 pounds, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a large square print on the back, tan or grey pants, and black shoes.
Penaloza was pronounced dead at the scene. Friends and family held an emotional vigil for him Friday.
Man shot, killed inside Rite Aid store, 2 suspects on the loose
Man shot, killed inside Rite-Aid store in Eagle Rock, 2 suspects on the loose
"I was the closing supervisor and we always had people coming in -- stealing liquor and beer, beer runs and, unfortunately, at times there was only two of us,'' David Cruz told ABC7.
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Anyone with information about the case is urged to call LAPD Central Bureau homicide detectives at (213) 996-4180 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.