A man died Wednesday after he confronted a group of shoplifters in the parking lot of a South El Monte shopping center.
It happened around 12:20 p.m. at a store on the 2000 block of Durfee Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Official details are limited at this time, but the Sheriff’s Department confirmed that it was investigating a death related to a shoplifting incident.
Aerial footage from Sky5 shows the scene in South El Monte where a store worker was killed after he confronted and was run over by shoplifters on April 9, 2025.
A man who identified himself as the victim’s brother told KTLA that the victim was working at Giant Discount, his family’s store, when a group of people entered, grabbed merchandise and then fled.
The victim, whom KTLA has decided not to name at this time, ran after the shoplifters and tried to stop them
That’s when they allegedly hit him in the head, knocked him down and then ran him over with their vehicle, according to the victim’s brother. He was pronounced dead at the scene, LASD officials confirmed.
Aerial footage from Sky5 shows the scene in South El Monte where a store worker was killed after he confronted and was run over by shoplifters on April 9, 2025.
KTLA will have more on this developing story through the evening.
The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 800-222-8477.
This story has been updated to reflect that the victim is not the store owner, but rather the brother of the store owner.
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