Arrest made in attempted robbery, shooting in Melrose District; Two suspects still at large
Los Angeles Police Department officers have arrested one of the three suspects they were searching for wanted in connection with an attempted robbery and shooting that took place in the Melrose District on April 10.
Jamario Kevin Ray, 22, was arrested Monday at around 4 p.m. and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Ray had a prior warrant for parole violation at the time of his arrest - for assault with a deadly weapon - and was being held without bail.
Officers are also searching for two additional suspects, one of which has been described as a Black male in his 20s, who stands approximately 6 feet tall and weighs between 170 and 190 pounds.
A description on the third suspect was not immediately available.
The original incident unfolded on April 10, when a man exited a clothing store on Melrose Avenue at around 6 p.m.
At the same time, a group of men - the suspects - are said to have walked out of an alleyway near the store.
The victim, who was "wearing an expensive watch" felt that they were looking at him in a way that worried him, as detailed by LAPD's press release on the arrest.
He ran to the back of the store where the men chased him and fired several rounds in his direction. Police believe that Jamario Ray is the one who shot the gun.
"He shot two times outside then four times in here," said Anquan Hayden, who works at Gentry Garb, the store where his brother - the man that the suspects attempted to shoot - is one of the owners.
"It sounded like two big sheet metals banging against each other," Hayden continued. "I honestly didn't know what it was until my brother came in and was like, 'Anquan am I hit?'"
He said they were probably after the Rolex wristwatch that his brother was wearing, after he left the store briefly to pick up some candles, noting that "he felt like some guys could've followed him back - maybe seen the watch on his wrist, or seen the jewelry on his neck."
No one was struck by any gunfire in the incident, but the three men fled from the scene in an unknown vehicle driven by the third suspect.
As expected, shoppers and Melrose District frequenters are jarred by the incident, what appears to be another in a growing trend of violent and brazen robberies taking place in the world-famous shopping area.
"When I see that stuff, it makes me feel like I can't wear my own watch in my own community," said one man.
Hayden concurs, noting how Angelenos "may have to leave that stuff at home. ... It's not worth anyone's life."
As for Hayden's brother, he's recovering, but "(when) someone goes through getting shot at six times... physically, we just thank the lord he's fine. But mentally it's gonna take time."
Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact LAPD Detective Alonzo and Detective Mrakich at (213) 486-6840.