Minimarket Clerk Fatally Shoots Alleged Robber

VAN NUYS —  In an armed struggle taped by a convenience store video camera, a clerk shot and killed a would-be robber early Saturday after thinking the gunman was about to kill him in a back room of the business, authorities said.

The alleged robber, identified by authorities as John Ghoghas, 28, was shot several times in the upper torso during a robbery of the Arco minimarket at the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Kester Avenue, officers said. He died on the scene.

The incident began about 2:45 a.m. when an unidentified woman, who police said was the alleged robber’s accomplice, left the convenience store without paying for a self-serve drink.

The clerk, who was not identified, followed the woman to her car and collected the money. Moments later, Ghoghas entered the store with a .22-caliber pistol and demanded money, according to police accounts.

After collecting an unspecified amount from the register, police said, Ghoghas ordered the clerk into a small back office.

“The suspect followed the clerk into the room, and as he closed the door, pushed the employee backward,” said Lt. Stan Embry of the LAPD’s Van Nuys station. “The clerk thought the suspect would shoot him, so he pulled his own gun and they fought over the gun.”

The alleged gunman was shot several times with a 9-millimeter pistol, police said.

Officers said the woman accomplice was in custody and police Saturday were reviewing the convenience store video.

A store manager on Saturday refused to identify the clerk or comment on the shooting.