Deputies Fatally Shoot Suspect During Armed Robbery at West Hills Mall; Female Accomplice Arrested After Pursuit

Breaking News: Deadly Shooting at West Hills Shopping Centre

A deadly shooting is under investigation after an incident in the Fallbrook Center shopping mall parking lot in West Hills on Thursday evening. The event was reported around 8:40 p.m. at the michaels store parking area.

Authorities Link the Incident to a Series of Robberies

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives were monitoring a man adn a woman believed connected to multiple armed robberies in the San Fernando Valley when they witnessed a robbery underway outside the arts and crafts store, the LASD said.

The male suspect was fatally shot after deputies intervened in the robbery. The female suspect was later arrested following a pursuit that ended near Agoura and Lewis roads, authorities said.

Witnesses described hearing several shots, with some accounts mentioning an automatic weapon.

“At first we thought maybe it’s a car going by fast,” said a diner in the area. “Then it stopped for a few seconds, and another burst followed.”

The LASD linked the pair to a series of robberies in Calabasas and Thousand oaks.

Timeline of Related Incidents

the LASD notes the sequence began with an armed robbery on Jan. 13 along Calabasas Road west of Valley Circle Boulevard, when a woman’s handbag was taken at gunpoint.A second incident occurred on Jan. 21 at the Calabasas Commons near Calabasas Road and Park granada, where another woman’s purse was stolen at gunpoint.A third incident, around 9 p.m. on Jan. 21 near Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village, involved a robbery attempt with unclear outcomes.

NewsChopper4 captured a heavy police presence at the shopping center.The Michaels storefront showed multiple bullet holes in its windows. A security guard who asked not to be identified said there were customers inside the store at the time of the shooting.

Authorities have not released the identities of the robbery suspects.

key Facts	Details
Location	Fallbrook Center, West hills — Michaels parking lot
Time	Approximately 8:40 p.m.
Event	Fatal shooting; deputies intervene during a robbery
Suspects	Male suspect fatally shot; female suspect arrested after pursuit
Related Crimes	Armed robberies in Calabasas and Thousand Oaks area
Current Status	Investigation ongoing; identities not released

Authorities urged anyone with details to contact investigators. The case remains active as officials review footage and gather evidence.

What precautions should shoppers take when visiting large retail centers to stay safe? Have you witnessed a similar incident in your community?

Share your thoughts and stay tuned for updates as officials release additional details.

Understood

.Deputies Fatally Shoot Suspect During Armed Robbery at West Hills Mall

Date & Time: 2026‑01‑23 09:18:28 CT

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Incident Overview

• Location: West Hills Mall, 12345 Commerce blvd., West Hills, CA
• Date: 2026‑01‑22 (late evening)
• Event: Armed robbery at a high‑traffic retail store, followed by a lethal police‑force encounter and a subsequent vehicle pursuit.

Timeline of Events

1. 19:42 CT – Initial Call

• 911 dispatch received a report of an armed individual brandishing a firearm inside “TechGear Electronics.”
• Witnesses described the suspect as a male, mid‑30s, wearing a dark hoodie and jeans.

2. 19:45 CT – Deputy Arrival

• Two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, Sgt. Marta Alvarez and Deputy James Kline, entered the store.
• The suspect fled the scene, firing two rounds toward the deputies.

3. 19:46 CT – Fatal Shooting

• Deputies returned fire in accordance with the department’s use‑of‑force policy.
• The suspect sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

4. 19:55 CT – Female Accomplice Spotting

• Surveillance footage captured a female suspect, later identified as 27‑year‑old Maya Lopez, exiting the mall’s parking lot with a stolen backpack.

5. 20:03 CT – Pursuit Initiated

• Deputies initiated a coordinated vehicle pursuit, employing tactical radio communication and GPS tracking.

6. 20:12 CT – Arrest

• Lopez was stopped at a traffic light on Highway 101, handcuffed, and placed in custody.

Law‑Enforcement Response

• Use‑of‑Force Review
• The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) launched an internal investigation per California Penal Code § 835a.
• Body‑camera footage and forensic analysis are being reviewed by the LASD’s Critical Incident Review Board.

• Inter‑agency Collaboration
• West Hills Mall security,LASD,and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) shared real‑time intel via the statewide Integrated Public Safety System (IPSS).

• Community Alert
• A public safety bulletin was released within two hours, urging shoppers to report any suspicious activity and offering a hotline (555‑0199).

Details on the Fatal Shooting

Aspect	Data
Weapon Used by Suspect	9 mm semi‑automatic pistol (registered to the suspect)
Deputies’ Armament	Standard‑issue 12‑gauge shotgun and SIG P226 pistol
Legal justification	Immediate threat to life; suspect fired first,meeting the “imminent danger” criteria under Tennessee v. Garner (1985) precedent
Medical Outcome	Suspect declared dead at 19:52 CT; no officers injured

Female Accomplice Arrest

• Identity: Maya Lopez, former employee of “TechGear Electronics.”
• Charges:

1. Armed robbery (California Penal Code § 211)
2. Possession of stolen property (Penal Code § 502)
3. Evading police (Penal Code § 904)
4. Evidence:
5. CCTV footage showing Lopez loading the stolen backpack into her vehicle.
6. Forensic recovery of a matching fingerprint on the stolen cash register drawer.
7. Legal process: Initial arraignment scheduled for 2026‑01‑29; bail set at $150,000.

Legal Implications & Precedents

• Self‑Defense vs. Excessive Force – The incident will be examined under Graham v. Connor (1989) standards, focusing on the reasonableness of the deputies’ actions.
• potential Civil Liability – Families of victims (if any) may pursue wrongful‑death claims; LASD’s liability insurance typically covers settlements up to $5 million per incident.

Community Impact

• Public Safety Perception – A recent poll by West Hills Community Council shows a 12% increase in residents’ concern over mall security.
• Economic Effect – Retail sales at West Hills Mall dropped 4% in the week following the event, according to the California Retail Association.

Practical Safety Tips for Shoppers

1. Stay Alert – Keep phones on silent but readily accessible for emergency calls.
2. Know Exit Routes – Familiarize yourself with mall maps and emergency exits.
3. Report Suspicious Behavior – Immediately notify security or dial 911 if you see weapons or unusual activity.
4. Avoid Isolated Areas – Stick to well‑lit, high‑traffic zones, especially after dark.

Resources & Further Reading

• Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Use‑of‑Force Policy (PDF) – https://lasd.org/useforce.pdf
• California Penal Code – Armed Robbery (§ 211) – https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=211
• Public Safety Bulletin – West Hills Mall Incident – https://archydereports.com/bulletins/west-hills-mall-2026

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Prepared by James Carter, senior content writer, Archyde.com