VAN NUYS, Calif. – A Connecticut man was charged Tuesday in a weekend shooting in the parking lot of a shopping center in West Hills that left one man dead and three others injured.
Mark Elton Connole, 34, was charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder, along with allegations that he personally used a handgun and personally inflicted great bodily injury, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Co-defendant Amy Waters, 33, of Simi Valley, was charged with one count each of accessory after the fact, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly and possession for sale of a controlled substance, according to the DA’s office.
The shooting was reported about 3:45 p.m. Saturday in the Fallbrook Center’s parking lot in the 22900 block of Vanowen Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
“One of the victims met with the suspect for unknown reasons. An argument ensued between the suspect and the victims when the suspect produced a handgun and began to fire at them,” police said.
The name of the victim killed in the shooting was being withheld pending notification of relatives. The other three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Waters allegedly drove to the area in a red Honda and picked up Connole after he crashed his vehicle, according to police.
Waters allegedly led police on a pursuit, but she eventually pulled over and was taken into custody along with Connole, according to the LAPD.
Police said a firearm was recovered.
“This brazen act of violence occurred in the middle of a Saturday afternoon,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement announcing the charges. “Innocent shoppers could easily have been hurt or killed. This shocking level of disregard for the safety and well-being of our community will not be tolerated.”
Connole and Waters are set to be arraigned April 13 in a Van Nuys courtroom.
