BREAKING: Hostages held inside upscale Trader Joe’s by ‘defiant’ suspect who reportedly shot girlfriend and grandmother

Police have surrounded the store in an ‘ongoing hostage situation’

Authorities in Los Angeles are at a potential hostage situation on Saturday afternoon at the Trader Joe’s off of Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Times reports that authorities arrived to the store at around 4 p.m. after a suspected gunman led police on a chase starting in South L.A., after he allegedly shot his grandmother and girlfriend. The suspect apparently crashed his car into the store, opened fire at the officers following him, the rushed inside the store. The suspect’s girlfriend was reportedly inside the car with him.

As officers worked to evacuate people from the store, at least one person was seen with injuries. Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart indicated that a female, 20, was transferred to the hospital with injuries, according to CNN. However, she was removed from inside the vehicle and could possibly be the suspect’s girlfriend. She’s said to be in fair condition.

Possible Active Shooter At Silver Lake Trader Joe's

WATCH LIVE: CBS2 reporters are at the scene of a possible active shooter situation at the Trader Joe's near Hyperion and Rowena in Silver Lake. LAPD said the man shot his grandmother and girlfriend in South L.A. before leading police on a pursuit and crashing his car outside the store. #SilverLake #TraderJoes

Posted by CBS Los Angeles on Saturday, July 21, 2018

 

Several people were seen climbing through windows and down a ladder to get out of the store, while the suspect remains barricaded inside. It’s not clear for sure whether shots were fired inside the store.

The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.

[Feature Photo: Screenshot/CBS Los Angeles]