Suspect arrested after 2 security guards shot at downtown LA Target store, police say

SWAT teams from the Los Angeles Police Department arrested a man at his Westlake District apartment complex Tuesday after he allegedly shot two security guards at a downtown Target, investigators said. 

The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. Monday just outside the store near 7th Street and Figueroa Street, when the guards were confronting someone trying to leave with a suitcase containing stolen merchandise, according to the LAPD. Surveillance video from the store shows the suspect attempting to walk out with the suitcase, police said.

"And during that scuffle, the suspect produced a pistol and fired indiscriminately — shooting two people," LAPD Captain Raul Jovel told reporters during a Tuesday afternoon news conference. He said both individuals were left severely wounded, with one of them released from emergency medical care Tuesday morning while the other person remained hospitalized in critical condition.

LAPD released surveillance video images of the suspect Tuesday as well as a description of his physical appearance, saying he is believed to be "armed and dangerous." Jovel said the "unprovoked" and "indiscriminate" nature of the shooting is "particularly troubling" to law enforcement and "just goes to show that this individual is really dangerous."  

"It's very scary," he said. "Unfortunately, the suspect got away. I'm pretty confident that we will arrest him. I'm confident someone will recognize him and call us."

Jovel said the suspect fired at least five rounds and one of the guards fired back — with at least 10 rounds fired over the course of the shooting. He said it's not clear if the suspect was struck and wounded as well.

"We're lucky nobody got killed in this incident," Jovel said, saying the shooter showed "a wanton disregard for human life, basically."

In a statement Tuesday morning, LAPD said the suspect fled the scene on a bicycle but Jovel later said it's believed he left on foot. He said one of the guards is a loss prevention officer at Target and the other individual is an armed guard with the shopping center.

Jovel said the merchandise allegedly stolen by the suspect was left behind at the scene and believed to be worth an estimated $1,400 to $1,600.

When officers arrived to the scene Monday night, they found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds, police said, with one of them unconscious and not breathing. The night of the shooting, LAPD said just one of the victims was a security guard, but on Tuesday, the department confirmed both individuals were guards.

In a statement, LAPD described the suspect as believed to be 20 to 25 years old, standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. Police said the firearm he used was a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and said he was wearing a purple scarf, black jacket, black head covering and gray pants at the time. 

Jovel said the weapon still hasn't been recovered, which is partly why investigators believed the suspect may still be armed.

LAPD has said anyone who sees the suspect should not approach him and should call 911.

Earlier, police said the guards do not work for Target directly. CBS News Los Angeles has reached out to the retailer for comment. 

The store is located within the FIGat7th shopping center in downtown, which released a statement following the shooting saying that the guards are employed with Target and not the shopping center. 

"We are deeply troubled by the incident that happened last night," the statement reads. "We are working closely with the Los Angeles Police Department and are grateful for their swift action and response."

Target closed the location to "focus on supporting our team," a spokesperson stated. 

CBS News Los Angeles is working to confirm who the two guards are employed by, given the conflicting information released so far.

On Tuesday, LAPD received a tip about the suspect's possible location in a Westlake District apartment complex. The suspect did not exit the apartment when officers, prompting a SWAT standoff, according to the LAPD. Officers arrested the suspect following the hours-long standoff, according to LAPD.

The suspect has been identified as 26-year-old Jabril Metoyer. He is being held on just over $3 million bail.

Anyone with information can reach LAPD Central Robbery Detective Alvarez #36151 at 213-833-3750 during business hours. The LAPD Central Area Watch Commander can be reached at 213-486-6618 outside of business hours.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips to LA Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.