On June 19, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., a fatal shooting occurred in Valley Glen, Los Angeles, resulting in the death of 38-year-old North Hollywood resident, Mesrop Malkhasyan. The incident took place in the 12900 block of Victory Boulevard, where Malkhasyan was involved in an altercation with two other individuals: 44-year-old Arkadi Simonyan and 23-year-old Vahan Simonyan, both also from North Hollywood.
The confrontation escalated when two of the men produced firearms and exchanged gunfire. All three sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Malkhasyan and Arkadi Simonyan succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office later confirmed Malkhasyan's death as a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds.
The third individual, 23-year-old Vahan Simonyan, survived the shooting and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators determined that the motive for the shooting stemmed from an earlier business dispute among the men. While still hospitalized, Vahan Simonyan was arrested and absentee booked by Los Angeles Police Department Operations Valley Bureau homicide detectives on suspicion of murder.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact nature of the business dispute or the specific relationships between the individuals involved. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the LAPD's Operations Valley Bureau Homicide division.
