Two suspected robbers were in critical condition Wednesday after being shot by the owner of a marijuana dispensary in Walnut Park.
The shooting occurred at a marijuana dispensary in the 2400 block of East Florence Avenue about 10:45 p.m., said Lt. Thomas Giandomenico of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The shop owner said he used surveillance video to spot the suspected robbers entering the store.
At least one of them had a gun, according to the owner, who said, “They were there to kill us.”
The shop owner then opened fire on the two suspected robbers, striking them multiple times, Giandomenico said.
Both of the suspected robbers were taken to a local hospital in critical condition, Giandomenico said.
It was unclear if they fired any shots during the incident, Giandomenico said.
Video from the scene showed broken glass and bloodied clothes on the ground outside the store.
The owner was questioned, but not taken into custody following the shooting, Giandomenico said.
Authorities were treating the shooting as a case of self-defense, but it could turn into a homicide investigation Giandomenico said.
No other injuries were reported in the shooting.