1 Dead, 3 Injured In Shooting Outside Large Shopping Center: Police

WEST HILLS, CA — A daytime shooting at a large West Hills shopping center left one person dead, another in custody and three at the hospital, according to police.

Mark Connole, 34, of Woodland Hills, was charged with murder and booked into Van Nuys Jail with bail set at $2 million, police said.

The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Fallbrook Shopping Center in the 22900 block of Vanowen Street, according to police. The complex includes a movie theater, restaurants and major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Trader Joe’s. The shooting occurred near Chili’s, police said.

One of the victims met with Connole and an argument ensued, according to police, who said Connole took out a gun and started firing. The victims included the person Connole was meeting and three others accompanying that person, police said. One victim, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of family, died at the scene and the other three were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to police.

When the shots rang out, many people fled the area and called 911, police said.

Connole drove away and authorities pursued him both by road and by air until he eventually pulled over and was arrested, according to police, who said they recovered a gun during the stop.

Anyone who saw the incident or has video of it is asked to call police at 818-374-9550. On nights and weekends, tipsters should call 213-972-2971 or 1-877-527-3247. To remain anonymous, call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.