Friends and Family Hold Memorial For Trader Joe’s Manager That Was Shot And Killed Inside Store

Update, 4:30 p.m., July 24….

The Los Angeles Police Department has issued a statement about the death of 27-year-old Melyda Corado. They are now saying that the man that barricaded himself inside the Trader Joe’s did not kill Corado, rather it was gun fire from two police officers.

Today, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said: “I am truly sorry,” Moore said at a news conference, according to CNN. “It is unimaginable, the pain of the Corado family. We share the pain today.” He added: “I know that it is every officer’s worst nightmare to harm an innocent bystander during a violent engagement.” CNN also reports that the police officers that fired the shots that killed Corado are working with psychologists.

Previously…

“Yesterday marks the saddest day in Trader Joe’s history as we mourn the loss of one our own.” Those were the words of Kenya Friend-Daniel, a Trader Joe’s company spokeswoman, after the tragic killing of Melyda Corado.

On July 22, the 27-year-old was working her manager shift at Trader Joe’s in Silverlake, California. The trendy neighborhood location was filled with people that afternoon when a gunman crashed into a pole outside the grocery store, which ensued after a police chase. Prior to the shooting at the Trader Joe’s, the killer had apparently gotten into a fight with his girlfriend. According to the Chicago Tribune, the “man’s grandmother was in critical condition and the girlfriend suffered a graze.” That was the incident that led to the police chase.

Some people on social media are blaming the police for Corado’s death because they were not able to capture the shooter during the police chase, or during the shootout outside the store. It was after he entered Trader Joe’s that Corado was shot. The shooter had barricaded himself, along with 40 other people, inside the store for three hours.

“I’m sad to say she didn’t make it. My baby sister. My world,” her brother Albert Corado tweeted. “She was the person I loved the most in the world. She was never anyone but herself for better or worse, she was herself,” Albert told CNN.

Because the store is located in a popular neighborhood, Trader Joe’s clientele also included several celebrities, many of them sent out their condolences to Albert.

Actress Busy Phillips tweeted: “Oh God. I’m so sorry for your loss. I saw your tweet earlier and was thinking that she would be okay. I’m so so sorry. I’m so so sorry.” As did actor B.J. Novak, who tweeted: “Another heart with you in this unimaginable time, Albert.”

A GoFundme page has been set up to help Corado’s family pay for her funeral.

Last night friends and family gathered for a memorial to honor Corado. Her brother tweeted: “What an amazing night. Went to the memorial for Mely outside of Trader Joe’s in Silverlake. The amount of people who have left flowers and notes and have lit candles is astonishing. Saw so many of her coworkers and people who came to celebrate my sister’s life.”

A growing memorial for #MelydaCorado outside the #TraderJoe in #Silverlake where she was shot and killed during yesterday’s hostage standoff. Friends and coworkers called her “Melly,” and are simply devastated. #TraderJoesShooting Details @KTLA pic.twitter.com/q42LKU5OH3

— John Fenoglio (@JohnFenoglio) July 23, 2018

Albert also added: “miss my sister. I wish this wasn’t happening. Feels good to be with family, though. My dad is doing his best to keep it together. I am, too. Family is coming to visit from as far away as Australia. #MelydaCorado you were immensely loved.”