In a shocking incident in downtown Los Angeles, Salvador Villa, an armed security guard, was shot five times while attempting to apprehend a suspected shoplifter at a Target store last December.
The alleged shooter, Jabril Metoyer, now faces multiple charges including attempted murder and robbery.
During a court hearing at the L.A. County Superior Court, Villa testified that he and two other employees confronted Metoyer as he was leaving the Fig at 7th shopping center with two suitcases full of stolen merchandise valued at approximately $1,000.
Villa described the moment he approached Metoyer, calmly acknowledging the situation by saying to him, “It’s not a big deal. You’re gonna sign some papers and you’re gonna go home.”
However, Metoyer apparently misinterpreted Villa’s approach, claiming later to police that he believed he was being kidnapped.
This incident was just one of two shootings involving Metoyer in a short span of time, both occurring within two miles of the courthouse.
After being shot, Villa struggled through the courtroom as he was assisted by a cane, indicating the serious nature of his injuries, which ultimately forced him to leave his job.
William Davis, another victim of Metoyer’s violent spree, also took to the stand, though he had to do so from a location near the court reporter due to his mobility challenges resulting from the shooting.
Davis worked as a greeter at the same Target store and assisted in checking receipts and stopping shoplifters.
He recounted his harrowing experience in the hospital, where he spent six months recovering from severe bullet wounds and extensive medical procedures that left noticeable scars.
Testimony from LAPD detectives painted a chilling picture of Metoyer’s state at the time of his arrests.
Detectives noted that he displayed signs of agitation and confusion during his interviews, though they stopped short of confirming whether he was experiencing a mental health episode or under the influence of drugs.
Notably, Metoyer was not subjected to testing for drugs or alcohol after his arrest, despite his contention that he was trying to maintain sobriety.
Detective Miguel Garcia described Metoyer’s responses during the interrogation as “disconnected from reality” and exhibiting a nonsensical rambling style.
Further complicating the case, Metoyer’s defense attorney revealed statements made by him in which he claimed to be gathering “supplies for the war I was in the state of.”
In a bizarre twist, when asked where he intended to flee after the shooting, Metoyer stated, “I was running home to Jerusalem.”
This was not the first instance of violence linked to Metoyer.
Just three days earlier, he allegedly shot another victim, Mohammed Hoque, at a Chase ATM when Hoque declined to give him money for donations related to the conflict in Gaza.
According to the detectives’ testimony, after Hoque refused and began to use the ATM, Metoyer threatened him, asking, “Is $110 worth getting shot over?” before producing a handgun and shooting him in the stomach.
In his statements to police, Metoyer claimed he acted in self-defense, asserting that Hoque had gestured menacingly and reached for a gun in his waistband.
Metoyer described his intent to shoot Hoque a second time, but reportedly stated that the gun malfunctioned.
Addressing the nature of the attack, he referred to Hoque as “the entity,” indicating a dehumanizing perspective toward his victims.
Metoyer was arrested on New Year’s Eve following an hours-long standoff with police at his apartment building.
Authorities recovered a 9-millimeter handgun that matched the shell casings found at both shooting scenes and a scarf linked to the Target incident.
As the case unfolds, Metoyer has been ordered to stand trial and is currently held in jail on a $4.1-million bail.
His arraignment is scheduled for August 21, as the serious nature of the charges and the graphic testimonies of the victims come to light.
image source from：latimes
