Police fatally shoot man in Bellflower robbery attempt

A knife-wielding man who attempted to rob a Norms Restaurant in Bellflower early this morning was killed when he lunged at an off-duty police officer who had intervened, authorities said.

The unidentified officer from the Gardena Police Department was eating in the restaurant at 17844 Lakewood Blvd. shortly after 2 a.m. when he saw two men attempting to rob the restaurant, said sheriff's homicide Det. Lt. Gil Carrillo.

Carrillo, who is assisting the Gardena Police Department in the investigation, said the five-year veteran noticed one of the men was armed with an 8-inch knife. The officer identified himself as a law enforcement officer soon after the man pointed the knife at two employees and began pushing them toward the back of the restaurant, Carrillo said.

The man then ran toward and lunged at the officer, who shot him multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A knife was recovered, Carrillo said. A possible second suspect turned himself in to police and was being questioned.

The incident marked the second violent robbery attempt at the restaurant that Carrillo has investigated. In 2005, two deputies from the L.A. County Sheriff’s station in Lakewood were involved in a gun battle with a gunman who attempted to rob the restaurant. Carrillo said the suspect in that robbery also was killed.

-- Ruben Vives

Comments

[Rob H]

You don't mess with Norm's!! Doesn't everyone know that Norm's is the most cop friendly restaurant in the country??? If you go in to rob a Norm's, you best be ready to die. At any given time, there are 2 uniformed cops and 5 off duty or plain clothes cops eating there!

[Thomas Cresswell]

I hope the family of the man don't sue the Gardena PD which seems to be the norm these days.

[I luv Norms]

Norm's has the cheapest, greasiest best tasting food in Los Angeles from 11:00 p.m to 6:00 a.m. You can' t beat the value - You'll be on Lipitor for the rest of your life, but Norm's is great. If you don't die from heart disease from eating at this establishment, you'll die from gunshot wounds...
Hey stupid criminals...get a job busing tables at Norms. Don't even think of robbing them.

["Mr. E" from Orange County]

The surviving accomplice has just ruined his own life. Now he's likely to face the death penalty for the death of his buddy who could have faced attempted murder charges for wielding a knife while robbing Norms. Criminals just don't have a brain!

[Norms customer and Gardena Resident]

I have been robbed at knife point and let me say it was a traumatizing experience that lingers in my memory every time i go out.

Who knows what these men were capable of if this off Duty officer was not there. It is scary to think that they lunged at the Officer even after he identified himself, what would they have done to him and the other customers if he was not armed.... I Salute the officer for having protected his fellow customers in this situation. No one helped me and my mother when we were robbed and you feel vulnerable! I understand times are tough, but crime is not going to help ease any situation. My prayers go out to the workers, customers, officer, and the family's of all involved(including the robbers).