By Lookout Staff

May 19, 2025 -- A coordinated robbery at a closed store on the Third Street Promenade Sunday night turned deadly when one of the two suspects attacked the owner and was fatally shot.

Santa Monica police responded within 2 minutes after receiving a call at around 9:30 p.m. reporting an assault with a deadly weapon at a business in the 1300 block of the Promenade.

The preliminary investigation found that the business owner was "conducting a private, after-hours sale with a known associate" when a second individual entered the closed store.

The individual, who was conspiring with the known associate, "sprayed the victim with a chemical irritant," said Lt. Lewis Gilmour, the Police Department spokesman.

"A struggle followed, and the victim, who was in legal possession of a firearm, shot the intruder," Gilmour said.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. His identity is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

The associate, who coordinated the meeting, Karen Melikyan, was detained at the scene and later arrested in connection with the attempted robbery, according to police.

Melikyan, a 41-year-old resident of the Hollywood area, has since been charged with homicide, armed robbery and conspiracy.

The store owner was not injured and is cooperating fully with investigators, police officials said.

"Based on the evidence gathered, detectives believe this was a targeted and isolated incident involving individuals known to one another," Gilmour said. "There is no ongoing threat to the community."

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information about the incident should contact Det. Jauregui at Martin.Jauregui@santamonica.gov or (310) 458-4852, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov or (310) 458-8774, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.