Opening statements began Monday in the criminal trial of Gene Atkins, a man facing numerous charges following a deadly 2018 standoff at a Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake. The proceedings center on a violent sequence of events that occurred northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
The 2018 Standoff
The incident began on July 21, 2018, when Atkins is accused of shooting and wounding his girlfriend, and grandmother. This led to a police chase that ended when Atkins’ car crashed into a pole.
Atkins was shot in the arm as he fled his vehicle and entered the store. Prosecutors stated during opening arguments that Atkins fired shots at officers and held several people hostage inside the market.
The Fatal Shot and Legal Charges
During the shootout, a gunshot from an LAPD sidearm traveled through the store, striking and killing assistant manager Melyda “Mely” Corado. The Los Angeles Police Commission later determined the officer involved did not violate department policy.
Atkins now faces more than 40 criminal counts. These include murder, attempted murder, and 25 counts of false imprisonment of a hostage, as well as four counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on a peace officer.
“The unusual aspect about this case is that the defendant is being charged with murder, even though he’s not the one that fired the shot that killed the innocent victim,” said NBCLA legal analyst Royal Oakes. “Instead, he’s charged with something called felony murder, meaning if you set in motion a series of events by felonious terrible conduct, then if somebody else shoots, you’re charged with murder.”
Officer Testimony and Defense Response
In a sworn statement from May 2024, the officer who fired the shot claimed there was “no alternative” to stop the “deadly threat” created by Atkins. The officer stated they stopped firing upon realizing Atkins was moving into the store entrance to avoid hitting bystanders.
The officer added that shots fired by Atkins had struck a nearby pole, which forced law enforcement to take cover behind a concrete wall.
While prosecutors concluded their opening statements Monday and called two witnesses, defense attorneys opted not to deliver opening statements or comment on the case.
What May Happen Next
The trial is expected to continue over the coming weeks. Jurors may hear testimony from additional witnesses, including individuals who were inside the store during the standoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the victim killed during the standoff?
Melyda “Mely” Corado, the assistant manager of the Trader Joe’s store, was killed by a gunshot from an LAPD sidearm.
Why is Gene Atkins charged with murder if he did not fire the fatal shot?
He is charged under the “felony murder” rule, which posits that if a person sets in motion a series of events through felonious conduct that leads to a death, they can be charged with murder regardless of who fired the shot.
What is the status of the civil litigation regarding this event?
In 2024, the family of Melyda Corado settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the city for nearly $10 million.
How should the legal system balance officer discretion with civilian casualties in high-pressure standoffs?
