Melyda "Mely" Corado, a 27-year-old assistant manager at Trader Joe's in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, tragically lost her life on July 21, 2018. The incident occurred during a police pursuit of Gene Evin Atkins, who had allegedly shot and wounded his grandmother and kidnapped his 17-year-old girlfriend. The chase ended when Atkins crashed his car near the Trader Joe's store and ran inside. During the ensuing confrontation, Los Angeles Police Department Officers Sinlen Tse and Sarah Winans fired their weapons, and a bullet from Officer Tse's gun struck Corado, resulting in her death.
The aftermath of this tragic event led to significant legal actions and public outcry. Corado's family filed a lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles and the involved officers, arguing that the officers' actions were reckless and inconsistent with accepted police practices. They contended that the officers should have accounted for their surroundings and the presence of civilians before discharging their firearms. Former Irvine Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey J. Noble, an expert in use-of-force, supported the family's claims, stating that the officers' failure to hold their fire when Atkins ran into the crowded store was reckless.
In response to the lawsuit, the City of Los Angeles reached a tentative settlement with Corado's family, agreeing to pay $9.5 million. This settlement was seen as a significant acknowledgment of the family's loss and the circumstances surrounding Corado's death. The settlement aimed to send a message to law enforcement agencies about the importance of accountability and the need to consider the safety of civilians in such situations.
Gene Evin Atkins, the suspect pursued by the police, was charged with murder for Corado's death, along with 50 other counts, including shooting his grandmother and firing at police officers. Atkins has maintained that he did not fire any shots after crashing his car, contradicting the officers' claims. Despite this, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office found that the officers were justified in using deadly force in an attempt to stop Atkins as he ran into the store.
The tragic death of Melyda Corado has had a lasting impact on her family and the community. Her family continues to honor her memory and advocate for justice, hoping that the settlement and the legal proceedings will lead to greater accountability and changes in police practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
