Artashes Barsegyan Obituary, Death; – A 41-year-old man who lost his life during a failed robbery of a Santa Monica business owner was identified on Friday. The suspect, named by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as Artashes Barsegyan, was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officers arrived at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Sunday to the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade in response to reports of a potential assault involving a deadly weapon, as stated by the Santa Monica Police Department.
According to the police, a business owner was engaged in a private after-hours sale with a “known associate” when a second individual — seemingly colluding with the associate — entered the closed establishment and allegedly sprayed the business owner with a chemical irritant.
“The victim, who was legally armed, shot the intruder,” the police stated in a report.
Detectives identified the associate who arranged the meeting with the business owner as Karen Melikyan, 41, from Los Angeles, who did not suffer any injuries and was cooperative during the investigation, according to police.
He was arrested and charged with homicide, armed robbery, and conspiracy. He is currently being held on a $2 million bail. Court records indicate that Melikyan’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday at the LAX Superior Courthouse in Westchester.
Police indicated that the attempted robbery and shooting seemed to be an isolated event, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Anyone with further information regarding the robbery or shooting is encouraged to contact Detective Martin Jauregui at 310-458-4852 or Martin.Jauregui@santamonica.gov. Detective Chad Goodwin is available at 310-458-8774 or Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov. The watch commander can also be reached at 310-458-8427.
