Liquor Store Owner Shot in Attempted Robbery

A liquor store owner who was shot during a robbery attempt was in stable condition Tuesday, police said.

The 43-year-old owner of Hank’s Liquor at 1423 Santa Monica Blvd. was shot about 5:40 p.m. Monday by one of two suspects who fled the scene, said Sgt. Gary Gallinot of the Santa Monica Police Department.

Gallinot said witness chased one suspect, a 16-year-old Los Angeles boy, through the store and caught him at 16th Street and Broadway with a handgun in his possession. The second suspect, an unidentified man in his 30s, led police on a freeway chase to Culver City, where he hid for hours in an auto parts warehouse near Venice and Roberston boulevards.

The suspect emerged from the warehouse in the 3800 block of Hoke Avenue at 9:45 p.m. after police notified him over a bullhorn that police dogs would be sent into the building if he did not surrender.

Employees at the warehouse were evacuated during the standoff.

Both suspects were booked on suspicion of attempted murder and robbery. Gallinot said he did not know if anything was taken from the store during the robbery attempt.