Man accused of shooting 2 security guards in downtown LA charged with attempted murder
The man accused of shooting two security guards in downtown Los Angeles has been charged with eight counts including attempted murder and robbery.
At a news conference on Friday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges against 25-year-old Jabril Andrew Metoyer. The charges include attempted murder, robbery and attempted robbery. He also faces special allegations for personal use of a firearm and personal discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury.
"This morning, my office filed serious charges against a man accused of attempting to shoplift from a Target store and then escalating his actions to a violent attack that left two security guards injured, one critically, by gunfire," Hochman said. "This kind of brazen thievery and violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County."
Metoyer is being held over $4 million bail. Hochman said he is expected to be arraigned sometime on Friday.
"With the help of the public, in less than 24 hours after the incident, members of the LAPD Central Division and Metropolitan Division SWAT, were able to apprehend the suspect without incident-quickly removing this dangerous individual from our streets," said LAPD Chief of Police, Jim McDonnell.
Metoyer was arrested on Tuesday at his Westlake District apartment complex after an hours-long standoff with SWAT. McDonnell said SWAT used a chemical agent to help take him into custody but no force was used.
The shooting took place just before 9 p.m. on Monday outside of the store near 7th Street and Figueroa Street. The security guards were confronting Metoyer who was trying to leave with a suitcase containing stolen merchandise, according to the LAPD.
Police said surveillance footage from the store showed the man attempting to walk out of the store.
"And during that scuffle, the suspect produced a pistol and fired indiscriminately — shooting two people," LAPD Captain Raul Jovel said during a news conference Tuesday. 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.
In an effort to find the man, police quickly released images of him as well as a description of his physical appearance. They warned the public that he was believed to be "armed and dangerous."
Jovel said the man fired at least five rounds and one of the armed guards returned fire.
The LAPD said the man had fled the scene on a bicycle but then Jovel later clarified it was believed he left on foot.
Hochman said a few days before the shooting Metoyer also allegedly shot a man who refused to give him money near 7th and Figueroa streets.
In November 2022, the FIGat7th shopping center was the scene of a random double-stabbing incident. A 25-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy were stabbed by a homeless man.
Jovel said the LAPD is committed to making the public feel safe and hold those responsible for committing crimes.
