Los Angeles: On Monday, November 26, 2001 at approximately 3:10 p.m., four armed robbery suspects entered a business located in the 900 block of West Florence Avenue and attempted to rob the business owner and his son. The suspects demanded money and ordered the two men, aged 71 and 42, to lie on the floor of the business. As the younger victim complied, the suspects attempted to immobilize him by using duct tape on his arms and legs.

Fearing for his life and the safety of his son, the 71-year-old business owner produced a handgun and began firing at the four robbery suspects, mortally wounding one of the suspects.

Returning gunfire, the three remaining suspects ran from the business and fled in an unknown direction. The wounded suspect, 30 year-old Franklin Harold Marshall, died from his gun shot wounds. The business owner and his son were not injured.

77^th Street Homicide Division detectives are investigating the Robbery and shooting death. Persons with information regarding this matter may contact 77^th Street Homicide Division at 213-485-1385 or during off-hours, call 24-hour toll free number of the Detective Information Desk at 1-877 LAWFULL (1-877-529-3885).

This press release was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.