Woman Killed in Hostage Situation, Standoff in California

A California man is in custody after a shooting turned into a deadly hostage situation and standoff with police at a Trader Joe’s near Los Angeles.

It all started Saturday afternoon when Los Angeles Police say Gene Atkins shot his grandmother seven times during an argument over the TV. He then shot another woman before taking off in his grandmother’s vehicle.

Atkins then led police on a chase, during which he allegedly began shooting at officers, though no officers were injured.

He ended up in Silver Lake where he crashed outside the Trader Joe’s, went inside and barricaded himself in the store along with about 40 other people.

A Trader Joe’s employee, identified as Melyda Eldorado, was killed during a shootout between Atkins and police. However, it’s not clear if the bullet that hit her was from Atkins or police. Six other people were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

About three hours later, Atkins handcuffed himself and surrendered to police. He’s now charged with one count of murder and is being held on a $2 million bond.

As for his grandmother, police say she is recovering after having undergone several surgeries.