WATTS – A 54-year-old man who allegedly tried to rob two victims at gunpoint in Watts, leading to a struggle and police shooting that left the suspect and victims injured, was in custody Monday in lieu of $1.36 million bail.
Kevin Doby was booked on suspicion of armed robbery on Sunday following the late-night Saturday shooting near the 1700 block of East 114th Street that left him and two other people wounded.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, when two people were allegedly accosted by Doby on a sidewalk in front of a church.
Police said Doby allegedly approached the victims, produced an assault-style rife and demanded property from them. The victims instead charged Doby, knocking him to the ground, leading to a struggle for control of the firearm.
Southeast Division officers who were on routine patrol in the area spotted the melee, and as they approached, one of the victims yelled, “He’s got a gun,” police said. Officers ordered Doby to drop the weapon while the victims struggled to break free from him, prompting police to open fire, according to the LAPD.
“Doby re-armed himself with the rifle and began to run,” leading to a second police shooting, according to the department.
Doby was struck by the gunfire and dropped the rifle to the ground under a nearby parked vehicle. He was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. He was booked Sunday afternoon.
The two victims who struggled with the suspect were also struck by gunfire, and they were taken to a hospital with stable vital signs. The extent of their injuries was unknown.
Detectives recovered a loaded black and brown AK-style .22-caliber rifle, along with an approximately 3-inch folding knife, police said.