Los Angeles prosecutors are trying for the second time to hold Gene Atkins accountable for the death of Trader Joe’s assistant manager Melyda Corado, who was killed by a police bullet during a shootout in 2018.

Background of the Case

Atkins, 36, faces a second-degree murder charge in connection with Corado’s death. In June, Atkins was convicted on 40 charges, but jurors acquitted him of first-degree murder and deadlocked on the second-degree murder charge.

Authorities alleged Atkins went on a trail of terror on July 21, 2018, shooting his 77-year-old grandmother and girlfriend, then leading police on a pursuit with the injured girlfriend in the car. The pursuit ended when Atkins crashed his car into a pole outside the Trader Joe’s on Hyperion Avenue.

While holding shoppers and store employees captive, Atkins fired shots at officers, prosecutors said. Hostages inside the store were ordered to create a human shield around him, according to prosecutors.

The prosecution had argued during the first trial that Atkins’ choices led to the shootout and Corado’s death. In 2024, Corado’s family settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the city for nearly $10 million.

The Los Angeles Police Commission determined the officer who fired the shot did not violate department policy. The officer said in a sworn statement that he had no alternative but to fire his weapon at Gene Atkins to stop the deadly threat that Atkins had created.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.