Family of Melyda Corado agrees to $9.5 million settlement with LA city after fatal shooting

Six years after Melyda Corado was killed by a police bullet in a shootout outside a Trader Joe's in Silver Lake, her family agreed to a $9.5 million settlement for the fatal shooting that led to murder charges against the suspect in the shooting.

On July 21, 2018, Corado was 27 years old and working as an assistant manager at the grocery store when police opened fire as Gene Atkins ran toward the store's entrance. Earlier that day, Atkins reportedly shot his grandmother and girlfriend in South Los Angeles, leading to a chase with Los Angeles Police Department officers that ended with him crashing right outside the Hyperion Avenue grocery store. Police shot him as he entered the store and reportedly took dozens of people hostage.

The city of Los Angeles did not respond to a request for comment.

LAPD officers Sinlen Tse and Sarah Winans were the ones who opened fire. A bullet fired by Tse struck and killed Corado, an innocent bystander.

Atkins is still awaiting trial on several charges, including a murder charge in connection with Corado's death.

Months after the fatal shooting, her family filed a lawsuit naming Tse and Winans as defendants.

In 2020, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office published a report stating that the two officers “it was justified to use deadly force to stop Atkins.” However, her family has been vocal in their disagreement with the report's findings, urging District Attorney George Gascón, shortly after his election, to “please take responsibility” and reconsider the assessment of the shooting.

On Friday, a law firm representing Corado's family announced it had reached a $9.5 million settlement with the city after six years of litigation. In a press release, the firm called it the largest settlement the city of Los Angeles has paid in court related to an LAPD shooting.

“You know what money is for? To buy things. You can't buy a life,” said father Albert Corado. “I want my daughter back. I wish I could have my daughter and not a penny. So money doesn't change me in any way.”

Her lawyers argued that the police officers involved in the shooting did not properly follow their training, were negligent, used excessive force and that her death was a tragedy that could have been prevented.

“It changed our lives forever in every way,” said Corado's father. “You can't just follow someone, chase them, and shoot and kill people.”

Meanwhile, Tse defended his decision to shoot at the grocery store while Atkins fled from him and Winans.

“I had no choice but to fire my weapon at Gene Atkins to stop this deadly threat of his own making,” Tse said. “I fired as a result of his actions and stopped when I realized he was approaching the entrance of Trader Joe's to avoid striking anyone inside, even though he was still considered a violent fugitive felon and continued to pose an imminent threat of serious/aggravated bodily harm and/or death while inside Trader Joe's.”

The prosecutor's report, which found the officers were not at fault, was described by Corado's brother, Albert Corado, as follows: “a farewell gift from Jackie Lacey — the last thing before she left office.”

“We will keep fighting for you, baby,” said Corado's father. “I love you and I miss you.”