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Mark Connole: California man arrested in Trader Joe’s shooting that left 1 dead and 3 injured

Mark Connole, 34, of Woodland Hills, was booked on suspicion of murder, with bail set a $2 million

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Suspect who killed a 45-year-old man in a shooting that occurred late Saturday afternoon, April 1, in Los Angeles has been identified by authorities. Mark Connole, a 34-year-old Woodland Hills resident was taken into custody by LAPD.

The shooting occurred around 3.45 pm in a Trader Joe's parking lot in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. The suspect was seen fleeing in a red Honda. A short chase ensued until the driver slowed down and was taken into custody. On a warrant for suspected murder, Connole was taken into custody at the Van Nuys County Jail. His bail was set at $2 million. Three people were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment with non-life threatening injuries. A fourth person was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

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Why did Mark Connole kill the victims?

Authorities believe that the victims were familiar to Connole and that they had met him for a drug deal. In the aftermath of an argument, shots were fired. Officials, the deceased victim was a 45-year-old man. His identity is being kept under wraps until the family is informed.

Officer Alan Hamilton of the LAPD believes that several of the shooting's participants may be members of gangs, and that further arrests may be made soon, according to Fox LA. Detectives have examined the area and are following up on every lead as part of the ongoing investigation.

'Laws will never stop mass casualty events'

Many people have reacted on Twitter regarding Connole's arrest with one person writing, "Glad they did. Out on bail yet?" Another who drew attention to California's severe gun regulations wrote, "State with toughest gun laws you cant even buy Ammo without a flow chart or your from out of state. Yet somehow ???? Cause criminals dont care about laws."

A third person wrote, "To the people saying 'but neighboring states' and 'look at where the guns come from' you've completely lost the plot. Laws will never stop mass casualty events. Ever." Some even drew attention to how delicately the police were handling Connole while making the arrest.

One person wrote, "How nice how he's being arrested as if all he did was jay-walk..." This other person wrote, "I'm confused as to why he's not laying face down and they're not jumping up and down on his neck," to which another responded, "He gave up and complied."

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