Robbery suspect shot, killed by deputies outside Michaels store in West Hills
A second suspect who fled the scene was taken into custody after a chase.
WEST HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An allegedly armed robbery suspect was shot and killed during a deputy-involved shooting outside a Michaels store in West Hills.
The incident unfolded around 8:40 p.m. Thursday near the craft store in The Fallbrook Center on Fallbrook Avenue near Vanowen Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Investigators say detectives with the department's Major Crimes Bureau were in the shopping center's parking lot conducting a surveillance operation into recent robberies in the Malibu and Lost Hills areas.
That's when they saw a suspect approach a woman in front of the store and tried to rob her. He was allegedly armed with a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine.
Detectives got out of their car and tried to stop the suspect. Details about what exactly transpired after that were unclear, but deputies opened fire, striking the suspect.
He did not survive. The alleged robbery victim was not hurt.
A woman at the scene told Eyewitness News she believes the suspect is her son. She said he had just turned 18, just got his first job, and that she's not sure what took place there.
"I know it's him," the woman, who declined to be publicly identified, told ABC7 in an interview at the scene. "I'm in shock. I don't want to lose my baby."
The mother said she went to the location after receiving a phone call from a woman that her son had been spending time with. The caller said she was being chased by authorities after the son was shot.
"I cannot believe this happened because my son's not this type of kid at all," the mother said. "I'm in shock. I don't even know what transpired in the couple months of knowing this woman."
Officials have not released the identity of the deceased suspect.
"He was like a gamer kid, very innocent, not a gang member, never been arrested," the mother said. "And he was manipulated by this woman -- 28 years old, 10 years older than him -- that he's only known for a couple months."
AIR7 was above the scene as the investigation was unfolding and captured a large law enforcement presence with multiple police vehicles in the parking lot.
Several agencies responded to the scene, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The sheriff's department, however, is the lead agency investigating the incident.
AIR7 video also showed at least two bullet holes in one of the windows at the front of the store.
A second suspect, only described as a woman, fled the scene during the shooting.
AIR7 was also in the air around 9 p.m. when a police chase ended in nearby Agoura Hills. The driver of that vehicle was taken into custody.
