Man killed in hit-and-run while trying to stop robbery at brother's business in California
A man was killed in a hit-and-run after trying to stop a robbery at a store owned by his family this week.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the incident happened Wednesday afternoon when the male victim visited his brother's business, a Giant Discount Store in South El Monte.
During that time, a suspect entered the establishment and shoplifted, prompting the victim to chase after him into the parking lot, authorities said. A physical dispute ensued, and a second suspect joined in the altercation.
"The suspects then entered the sedan and deliberately struck the victim with the vehicle several times," the department said in a news release. "The vehicle fled in an unknown direction."
Upon arrival to the area, authorities discovered the victim with "blunt force trauma" and determined him to be deceased.
'I was there at the last minute of his life'
Authorities did not publicly name the victim, but local news outlets identified him as Kourosh "Steve" Yaghoubi, according to KABC and KCAL.
Per the reports, the suspect inquired about a $10 box of medical masks and exited the store without payment. Steven then approached the suspect, resulting in the harrowing altercation that his brother, Jim, witnessed.
"The body under the car was turning, all the way from the front tire to the back tire," Jim described to KABC. "I don't know why this happened. Honestly, I was there at the last minute of his life. I saw his face. I saw his eyes."
The incident, what Lieutenant Michael Modica reportedly called "a senseless act of violence," is under investigation. The suspects were described to be driving a dark-colored sedan. No arrests have been made as of early Thursday morning, according to the reports.
The city of South El Monte is about 14 miles from Los Angeles.
Paste BN reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for more information.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for Paste BN. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
This story was updated to add a video.