Facebook/Mely Corado Melyda Corado, also known as Mely Corado.
Melyda Corado, a store manager at Trader Joe’s in Los Angeles, was the female victim who was shot and killed after a suspect burst into the store, leading to a tense three-hour standoff that involved multiple hostages. On Facebook, Mely Corado, as she was often called, had shared videos relating to March for Our Lives, including a well-known speech by Parkland, Florida student and anti-gun violence activist Emma Gonzalez.
The Los Angeles police chief now says a police bullet killed Corado, but he defended their actions, saying that suspect Gene Atkins was firing at officers. “I believe my officer’s actions were taken to defend themselves and in direct response to the deadly threat posed by Atkins,” the chief, Michel R. Moore, said.
Police released the body cam videos from the scene. You can watch them here:
We have released both body worn and in-car video from the LAPD Officer-Involved Shooting that occurred on July 21st at a Trader Joe’s in the Silver Lake area. The press conference from earlier this morning can be viewed by clicking the link t.co/9jhiT2RFe5
Gene Evin Atkins, 28, was accused of shooting his grandmother and girlfriend before leading police on a chase that culminated at the Trader Joe’s on the evening of July 21, 2018. The standoff stretched into three hours and led to a frightening situation in which customers and employees jumped out of windows and hid in the store’s freezer. In the end, one employee, Melyda, described as hard-working and kind by those who knew her, lay dead.
Mely’s outgoing persona comes through on Facebook, where she wrote that she was a fan of butter cookies, the movie Black Panther, and dogs. Silver Lake, where the shooting occurred, is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.
“The destructive and tragic consequences one person can inflict are at the forefront of our minds tonight, as is the valor & dedication of our men & women who strived to protect so many innocent people-Our thoughts, prayers & hearts are with all effected by this senseless incident,” LAPD Chief Michael Moore said.
A GoFundMe page was started to help Melyda’s family.
#BREAKING: LAPD has a man in custody. Officers have made their way inside the #TraderJoes. It looks like the situation is over. #SilverLake @NBCLA
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Melyda Corado’s Brother Confirmed Her Death, Calling Her ‘My World’ & the Chief Says Officers Are ‘Devastated’ That Corado Was Struck
GettyLos Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, looks on before addressing the press after a suspect barricaded inside a Trader Joe’s supermarket in Silverlake, Los Angeles, on July 21, 2018.
After allegedly engaging in another shooting and leading police on a chase, the suspect is accused of running into the Trader Joe’s. Melyda, a store employee, died from gunfire shortly thereafter, although the circumstances were not completely clear at first. ABC 7 reported that Corado was shot “possibly in the crossfire between LAPD officers and the suspect.” According to The Los Angeles Times, the police chief now says she was shot while exiting the store. Then, the chief said in a news conference that a police bullet struck Melyda.
LAPD says bullet hit Melyda Corado in the left arm then moved into her body. Moore says bullet was from one of the two responding officers shooting from stopped police car on Hyperion at suspect who was entering Trader Joe's. Corado was exiting the store as Atkins was entering.
— LosFelizLedger (@LosFelizLedger) July 24, 2018
The police chief confirmed that a police officer’s bullet killed Melyda Corado, who he defined as an assistant store manager at Trader Joe’s.
“I am sorry to report one of the officer’s rounds struck Miss Corado as she was exiting the market and was in close proximity to Atkins,” the police chief said. “She ran back into the store and collapsed.” He said she was later carried out by others in the store and died of the gunshot wound.
Atkins has been charged with 30 counts, including murder, said the chief, who added, “I am sorry for the loss. This tragic loss not just to the Corado family but to her father, brother, friends, to her work colleagues at Trader Joe’s. This has been a devastating ordeal. On behalf of myself and men and women of this department, I want to my express deepest condolences and sympathy to her family and to everyone who knew her.”
He added: “It is every officer’s worst nightmare to harm an innocent bystander during a violent engagement. I spoke to both of these officers this morning. They’re devastated… that a person died…This is a heartbreaking reminder of the split second decisions officers must make every day.”
He added that Gene Atkins’ “violent actions precipitated” the situation.
The Associated Press quoted the police chief as saying, “outside the store, the man exchanged gunfire with police again and that’s when the woman was shot and killed.”
Albert Corado wrote on Twitter that the woman who died was his sister, Melyda Corado. “I’m sad to say she didn’t make it. My baby sister. My world. I appreciate the retweets and the love. Please respect my family’s privacy as we are still coming to terms with this. #TraderJoes #SilverLake,” he wrote. Melyda was also known as Mely Corado. One news site gave her name as Melyda Eldorado, but her brother wrote on Twitter that her name is Melyda Corado, which was the last name she used on social media. The coroner has also identified her as Melyda Corado and says she was 27.
I’m sad to say she didn’t make it. My baby sister. My world. I appreciate the retweets and the love. Please respect my family’s privacy as we are still coming to terms with this. #TraderJoes #SilverLake
Albert Corado told CNN of his sister, “She was the person I loved the most in the world. She was never anyone but herself for better or worse, she was herself.” He told CNN that Mely had worked at Trader Joe’s for four or five years.
My sister’s name is Melyda Corado. #silverlake #traderjoes
Earlier, he had written: “My sister works at the #traderjoes in #silverlake I can’t get a hold of her and I’m not sure if she was able to get out or is one of the hostages. If anyone with any information could help me out it would be much appreciated. I feel helpless and I’m scared for my sister.”
Shortly after the family posted the information, local news sites confirmed that Melyda Corado was the victim who died, and they said she was a store employee.
Tributes began to flow in for Melyda. “Mely Corado was my friend. My heart is broken for her family and for those of us who were lucky to know her. #TraderJoes #SilverLake,” a friend wrote. A woman wrote Albert on Twitter, “I’m at such a loss. I cannot express how truly sorry I am. Your sister was a bright light, funny as hell and also so so kind. Of course, you already know how wonderful she was. All I can say right now is I am so sorry. So unbelievably sorry.”
Such a tragedy in our neighborhood today. I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Melyda Corado. Many of us in the Los Feliz #SilverLake area have shopped at #TraderJoes frequently and this is a terrible outcome.
“Dear Melyda Corado, a light and a laugh to so many of us here. Rest In Peace. Love and strength to family, friends, your co-workers at Trader Joe’s and all the community here grieving and shaken,” wrote one man. A woman wrote on Facebook, “Melyda Corado lost her life today in the Trader Joe’s tragedy in our neighborhood. I fall asleep thinking of her siblings who tweeted asking for help, for information, when they didn’t know what was going on. I saw those tweets in real time. She was the store manager. She probably worked hard for that position. She was loved. Love doesn’t always protect us, but it’s the only thing that can heal us.”
2. Melyda Shared Several Videos Related to the March for Our Lives Movement & Gun Violence
On Facebook, Mely shared videos relating to the March for Our Lives movement and anti-gun violence activism, although she didn’t caption them.
For example, she shared a video called “L.A. Teen’s Powerful Gun Violence Speech” by MoveOn.org. The March 24, 2018 video caption that she shared read, “Edna Chavez tells her personal story of living with gun violence in South L.A. One of many powerful moments at today’s March for our Lives.”
The video as it appeared on Mely’s Facebook page.
She also shared a CNN video of Emma Gonzalez speaking at March for Our Lives. The video she shared was captioned with a quote of Emma saying, “They say that tougher gun laws do not decrease gun violence. We call BS! They say a good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun. We call BS! They say guns are just tools like knives and are as dangerous as cars. We call BS!”
A post on Melyda Corado’s Facebook page
The CNN caption that Mely shared continued, “Florida high school shooting survivor Emma Gonzalez calls on President Donald J. Trump and lawmakers to tighten gun restrictions in an impassioned speech at an anti-gun rally in Fort Lauderdale.”
Last October, Mely shared a video by Chelsea Handler captioned, “It’s time for us to start voting for politicians who do not live in the pocket of the NRA.” In that video, Handler discussed gun control regulations enacted in Australia after a mass shooting in a cafe, which she said made a positive difference.
Here’s that video:
She attended the 2018 Women’s March in Los Angeles, according to photos she posted on Facebook.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Melyda Corado was the store’s manager. She “was pulled out of the store by authorities and declared dead at the scene,” reported The Times.
Melyda’s brother wrote on Twitter, “She loved all her Tj’s family so much and was so excited to be a mate.” On Facebook, where she shared the anti-gun violence videos, Mely wrote that she was a “mate” at Trader Joe’s. She wrote that she was single and lived in Los Angeles.
Celebrities such as Nancy Sinatra offered condolences to Albert Corado after his tweet.
@digitalurn Oh, Albert, I don’t have the words to express the sorrow I feel in my heart for you and your sister. Something terrible has happened to our country and our people and we need to figure it out and fix it as soon as possible. 😢💔
The rampage started at 1:30 p.m. on July 21, 2018, the Los Angeles Police Department wrote in a statement. “A shooting occurred in Newton Division,” LAPD wrote. “The suspect then fled the scene. The suspect was located via LoJack and a pursuit ensued at which point the suspect fired multiple rounds at pursuing officers.”
The LA Times reported that the police tracked the suspect’s car using “transmissions from its anti-theft device.” ABC7 said the suspect might have shot his grandmother because she didn’t want his girlfriend in the house.
According to The Associated Press, the suspect shot his grandmother and girlfriend. He then allegedly fled in his grandmother’s Toyota Camry. The grandmother was shot 7 times, according to CNN. She’s in critical condition. The younger woman is in good condition, according to authorities.
New photos by Michael A. Sandoval showing moment when four hostages were freed #silverlake #traderjoes. No ID yet of suspect or condition of his grandmother. Trader Joe’s is a community hub & many locals in shock over events & death of Melyda Corado. t.co/c0LGMv2dRq
The situation escalated to even grimmer levels when, police say, the suspect crashed his vehicle and “an officer involved shooting occurred. At the termination of the pursuit, the suspect fled into the Trader Joe’s. Inside the Trader Joe’s, a female victim was struck by gunfire. She was pronounced dead at scene.”
The suspect was also wounded in the arm after “exchanging gunfire with police,” CNN reported.
3. Melyda Was a Fan of Black Panther, Danish Butter Cookies & Gift Cards
Mely Corado
On Facebook, Mely Corado exhibited a sense of humor and an interest in everything from the movie Black Panther to gift cards and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
She wrote of the movie, “Black Panther was…..holy sh*t. So good. Wakanda forever. ‘Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, cause they knew death was better than bondage.'”
In another post, she wrote, “I relate to Medea on such a personal level. It’s like watching my future self.”
With a picture of her reading the book The Exorcist, Mely wrote, “Not the best book to read when you’re sleeping alone in a hotel room. *quietly prays in spanish.*”
Police officers and members of the Los Angeles Fire Department escort a woman on a stretcher after a suspect barricaded inside a Trader Joe’s supermarket in Silverlake, Los Angeles, on July 21, 2018.
She wrote about working hard, writing, “Today has been tough. Juggling work, the World Cup, celebrating Father’s Day …Where do I find the time? #modernwoman.” She shared a photo of her father, also named Albert, and wrote, “Where I get my temper from. And my love of danish butter cookies. Happy Father’s Day.” A woman who had commented on that post has now posted a tribute to Mely in Spanish, writing, “Sadness invades me my beautiful girl Albert primo we are with you.”
She posted a video of President Donald Trump with Kim Jong Un, and she expressed great sadness at the death of Anthony Bourdain, writing, “I’m eating lunchables in my hotel room, watching Parts Unknown and I’m on the verge of tears. Anthony f*cking Bourdain.”
Other posts are less serious. “Just got my eyelashes done and the lady told me I can’t cry for the next 24 hours. There goes my weekend,” she wrote. “So tired that I stood at the front door of my apartment clicking my car keys for a solid minute wondering why the door wouldn’t open,” said another post.
She mentioned work occasionally, writing, “Yesterday at work I fell flat on my a*s in front of everyone. I’m quitting my job and moving to a new state. See everyone on the other side.”
She noted, “It’s my birthday month! I like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, dogs, and tequila. Gifts cards also work.”
The situation was dramatic and frightening. According to AP, store workers and customers jumped out of windows of the store to reach safety.
Devin Field, a writer for the Jimmy Kimmel show, was at the scene when the man ran into the Trader Joe’s, and he tweeted details from the scene. “When last I left a man was nearby the barricade texting with his wife who was inside with hostages. Other people with me were giving her descriptions of their friends and family and she was verifying who was ok. Several people were confirmed as ok,” he wrote.
“To clarify my experience: I was walking in when he crashed into the entrance and got out shooting. I ducked behind the 4 foot retaining wall in the parking lot and three LAPD officers ran over, knelt behind it right next to me and opened fire,” he wrote. “Gunman returned fire and they dropped to the ground. Eventually they asked me to try crawling out but I couldn’t crawl low enough so they stopped me, worried the bullets might go through the concrete if he returned fire. once he was inside they had me crawl out and run.”
He also wrote, “Some people here with family still inside. Gunman took a man’s cell phone and sent him out. Sounds like he moved hostages to the back of the store and asked to talk to a negotiator.”
According to CNN, “Some employees climbed out a back window on a chain ladder.”
4. Melyda Was Remembered as a ‘Friendly, Hardworking Woman’ & Dozens of People Were in the Trader Joe’s & Were Taken Hostage, Police Say
The scene at Trader Joe’s
Felicia Willson tweeted to Melyda’s brother that she had worked with Melyda. “Albert, I worked with her for years,” she wrote. “I am so so so sorry. Such a lovely, sweet, friendly, hardworking woman. I was thinking about her the whole time, and it’s just incomprehensible. You and your family are in my prayers, and the thoughts of the whole TJs family.”
A customer of the store recalled her as a “nice girl,” writing, “My grandparents live in Los Feliz. I have been to #TraderJoes many times. Not a friend, but I knew #MelydaCorado personally. Such a nice girl, like the rest of the employees. May she rest in peace. ? My condolences to her family and to Trader’s family.”
Once inside the Trader’s Joe’s, the suspect proceeded to take multiple hostages, police said. “He then proceeded to hold multiple victims hostage within the location,” the LAPD wrote. “Through the hard work of multiple LAPD entities, the suspect walked out of the location, and asked that he put handcuffs on himself, and was taken into custody.”
AP reported that the hostages were “bystanders.” Police say there were 40 people inside the store.
“Approximately 40 and 50 others–including children–in the store had hidden in the store’s freezer, in bathrooms and in closets during the tense nearly three-hour standoff,” reported Loz Feliz Ledger.
Earlier during the incident, the police wrote, “SWAT resources are on scene at the #traderjoes in #Silverlake as we work to bring a swift resolution to this incident. Again, this is an active and evolving situation, and we continue to urge the public and media to stay clear of the area.”
Around 7:30 p.m., the LAPD said, “This remains an active investigation, and the area will remain closed as our investigation continues.”
5. Trader Joe’s Described the Situation as ‘an Incredible Trauma’
Shots fired & a man is apparently holding hostages inside the #SilverLake Trader Joe’s. Tobias was in there 20 minutes b4. We are okay but can’t get to our car. Police took us up the street, we are a safe distance now, but it’s still a developing situation. #BreakingNews
“Our hearts are broken over what happened today,” Trader Joe’s said in a statement. “This has been an incredible trauma, and our thoughts are with our Crew Members and customers. Our focus is on doing whatever we can to support them at this time. We appreciate everything Los Angeles law enforcement did to ensure an end to this ordeal.”
There was also heroism.
One employee working in a back room helped employees to safety:
Trader Joe’s Worker Helps Colleagues to Safety During Hostage Crisis t.co/pB63J9xBVR
President Donald Trump tweeted about the incident, “Watching Los Angeles possible hostage situation very closely,” he tweeted. “Active barricaded suspect. L.A.P.D. working Federal Law Enforcement.” However, the tweet no longer appears on Trump’s page.
Six other people were taken to the hospital but they did not have life-threatening injuries, authorities said.