Gene Atkins sentenced

Gene Atkins, 36, was sentenced to more than 200 years to life after being found guilty of 40 felony charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with a standoff that took the life of 27-year-old Melyda…

Crime spree began

On July 21, 2018, Atkins began a crime spree that started at his grandmother's house in South Los Angeles.

Shooting grandmother and girlfriend

After shooting his 76-year-old grandmother and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Atkins stole his grandmother's car and led police on a chase to the Trader Joe's grocery store in Silver Lake, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Police chase

Atkins attempted to carjack someone at a gas station but was "unsuccessful" according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

Trader Joe's standoff

During a press conference shortly after the incident, then-Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said Atkins fired on police who were chasing him before he crashed into a pole by the Trader Joe's.

Shooting at Trader Joe's

Atkins got out of his car and fired on police as he ran into the store, and LAPD officers began shooting back.

Melyda Corado killed

While aiming at Atkins, Moore said, "One of the officers' rounds struck Ms.Corado as she was exiting the market and was in close proximity to Atkins.Ms.

“One of the officers' rounds struck Ms. Corado as she was exiting the market and was in close proximity to Atkins.”

Corado's death

Fellow Trader Joe's employees dragged Corado outside so she could be treated by paramedics, but efforts to save her life were unsuccessful.

Trial outcome

At his trial in June, Atkins was found guilty of 40 charges against him: three counts of attempted murder, six counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, 24 counts of false imprisonment of a hostage…

Jury deadlocked

During that trial, the jury was deadlocked on the murder charge. Corado's family successfully requested a retrial, which resulted in a conviction.

DA's statement

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Atkins' "deadly and reckless actions" caused Corado's death.

“deadly and reckless actions”

Civil suit

Corado's family sued the LAPD and the officers who fired the fatal shots and were awarded a $9.5 million settlement by the city of Los Angeles in September 2024.

“$9.5 million”

Event date

The incident occurred on July 21, 2018, and the sentencing took place in June 2026.