Ralph’s shooting: 18-year-old arrested in fatal altercation in Sun Valley, LAPD says

LOS ANGELES – A murder investigation is underway after an overnight shooting at a Ralphs supermarket in Sun Valley that killed a 19-year-old man and injured an 18-year-old man, officials said.

Foothills area patrol officers with the Los Angeles Police Department responded to the grocery store at the Canyon Plaza Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Roscoe and Laurel Canyon boulevards, around 11:40 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a radio call reporting a shooting.

Officers on scene reviewed the store’s security footage and discovered a fight broke out between two groups of men. At one point, one of the men involved in the altercation grabbed a gun and started shooting. Two men were struck by gunfire, LAPD officials said.

A 19-year-old man was taken to hospital by an unknown person, where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.

The second person struck by gunfire, 18 years old, was taken to Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in stable condition.

No customers or employees were injured during the incident. LAPD investigators review surveillance footage from inside the supermarket.

LAPD officers later located and arrested the suspected shooter, identified as 18-year-old Jorge Armeta. He was booked into the Van Nuys Jail on a murder charge and bail was set at $2 million.

“We have most of the people responsible for the incident, but we are still looking for other people, including witnesses and those involved in the altercation,” said LAPD Lt. Guy Golan.

The motive for the shooting is unknown, but police believe it is not gang-related.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the LAPD Operations Valley Bureau at 818-374-9550. Those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips online at lacrimestoppers.org.