Homicide Report > Hayk Yegnanyan, 25
Hayk Yegnanyan, 25
Died April 3, 2010 at 4:57 p.m.
Hayk Yegnanyan, a 25-year-old white male, died Saturday, April 3, in the 11600 block of Riverside Drive in Valley Village, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Police investigators said Yegnanyan, along with three men, Sarkis Karadjian, 26; Harut Baburyan, 28; and Vardan Tofalyan, 31, were inside the Hot Spot café, a Mediterranean restaurant, when a gunman or gunmen opened fire before fleeing. Baburyan, Karadjian and Yegnanyan were pronounced dead at the scene. Tofalyan was taken to a hospital where he died about an hour later, according to coroner's records. Two other men were injured but were expected to survive.
Days after the killings, Los Angeles Police Department detectives were struggling with conflicting accounts and an undetermined motive.
Law enforcement sources told The Times that detectives were skeptical about some of the accounts given by witnesses at the restaurant and are still not sure whether there was one gunman or two. Detectives also aren't sure how many people were at the restaurant at the time because some customers apparently fled before police arrived.
The sources, who spoke to The Times on the condition that they not be named because it was an ongoing investigation, said they believe the shooting was tied to Armenian or Eurasian organized crime but are unsure of the motive.
Investigators are hoping that shell casings recovered from the Hot Spot Cafe will provide a clearer account of exactly what happened Saturday afternoon.
Capt. Kevin McClure of the LAPD's robbery-homicide division, said the large of number of gunshots fired during the attack suggest that more than one gunman was involved, but detectives aren't sure.
"We are looking for anyone who knows about this shooting to come forward," he said. A security video from the restaurant, McClure said, "did not provide the identity of the suspect or suspects because it didn't show the inside" of the cafe.
—Richard Winton and Andrew Blankstein
- Neighborhood: Valley Village
- Age: 25
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Gunshot
- Day of the week: Saturday
- Agency: LAPD Robbery Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: White
- Crime scene: Commercial building
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26 reader comments about Hayk Yegnanyan
ohh man lol, this world operates in mysterious ways...it just proves that you can't escape your past or wrongdoings, can't escape the people you've hurt or killed...now take this and live with it (eye for an eye)
can't really say you didn't see this coming
April 6, 2010 at 10:05 a.m.
Hayk was a cool dude, i knew him he use to date my best friend.He was so serious but so kind he had a big heart. i hadnt seen him in awhile but we would always reminsece on the good times we had with him.He was so young it jus shows what this world has come to. Im at a lost of words i cant believe he's dead. He's in a better place.He made ppl call him mike cuz he said no one ever said his name right.Your physically gone but we have you in our memories mikey RIP...
April 7, 2010 at 1:34 p.m.
what goes around comes right back around
April 7, 2010 at 8:30 p.m.
mike i couldn't sleep last nite cuz u were on my mind,of all the things that we used to do 2gether and how we used to joke ("go run")...i had one of the best times wit u, i used to tell u that deep down inside u were a mexican..lol..wutever was the reason why they killed u curse them bcuz under all that u were a great friend and the reason u didnt come around was bcuz i know u didnt want n e one to get hurt...god bless ur family especially ur mom and bro who u loved and only wanted the best 4 him, even tho he stressed u out!...i will cherish our memories 4ever...R.I.P
April 8, 2010 at 4 p.m.
R.I.P my heart goes out to ur family and loved ones sorry to hear what happend!!
god bless ur family!!
April 8, 2010 at 4:56 p.m.
Rest in Peace Bro.
April 9, 2010 at 12:49 p.m.
RIP, you are not alone, you will never be, you're in a much better place with your precious angel in your arms...just wait patiently and shine your light down onto your loved ones and you will one day have your family with you again..roam the skys..you are finally free
oda ( a friend )
April 10, 2010 at 3:28 a.m.
To anyone who may rejoice may God grant you a similar fate to that which you wish upon others. God in his eminence has the only right to judge and take a life.
Hayk impacted the lives of all he came into contact with, even for a brief second, like a ship sailing in the night. His brief time on this earth will leave a hole in the hearts of many. You were truly loved by so many. May you rest in peace.
April 11, 2010 at 3:40 p.m.
woowwwwwwww..... when i was told it was you that was one of the guys killed i didnt i couldnt believe it... how could this happen???? wat is the world comin to? wowww i remember how u were convinced that i wouldnt be able to pronounce ur name lol omg and how we emberassed our selves at ribs haha and how i thought u were so ghettoo lol wow im sure ur in a better place away from all this shadyness, bless your family, watch them from up there
-Mo
April 11, 2010 at 7:35 p.m.
hey there mo and lety did you realize or did he mention he has a wife?
April 12, 2010 at 10:45 a.m.
Hayk Jan RIP my heart goes to your family. I dont know what to say RIP!!!
April 12, 2010 at 10:58 p.m.
hayk didnt have a wife @truth
April 23, 2010 at 5:58 p.m.
Hayk had a wife, get your facts straight. She was even pregnant at one point.
(he probably screwed around, but he definitely had a wife)
What can I say, those who knew him knew he was up to no good.
April 24, 2010 at 5:24 p.m.
Hayk did have a wife, i even knew her. Shes a cute, nice giving person. Dude this guy passed away stop wondering if he did or not.
April 25, 2010 at 12:23 p.m.
To all of you who have nothing better to do with your lives:
Hayk was married for 5 years. He was a very strong and charismatic presence in the lives of everyone who knew him.
He was a beloved son, brother, husband and friend.
Furthermore, he passed away in an extremely unfortunate and gruesome manner. He was only 25 years old and had an entire lifetime full of people who loved and cared about him before him.
Please go back to your pathetic little lives and allow his family to grieve in peace.
Unless you are a judge or part of the jury in the trial against the murderer, you have no right to pass judgment.
To anyone who will continue to blog on this page following this comment:
You are truly disrespectful. Please move onto the next breaking news story in the Glendale/Hollywood/N Hollywood area.
Thank you.
April 25, 2010 at 7:05 p.m.
if you think this page has bad comments.
try reading comments from these pages
*http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/a-man-arrested-in-connection-with-a-quadruple-killing-at-a-valley-village-restaurant-allegedly-did-it-because-he-was-fed-up-w.html
*http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-0421-gunman-held-m,0,6708736.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-restaurant-shooting,0,706463.story
April 26, 2010 at 7:25 a.m.
well, maybe if he was a productive member of society, such a tragedy would not befall him...?? lol makes you think what could have these youngsters been into that their life ended like this.
April 27, 2010 at 1:28 p.m.
wow i guess they all lie about being married... how funny hayk went out with someone i know. what a faithful husband!
April 28, 2010 at 3:01 p.m.
if only adultery was his only sin, if only! doesn't seem to be the case though, I believe murder was the case that they gave him
April 28, 2010 at 9:58 p.m.
Hayk jan...you are missed and loved more then you will ever know...you left behind so many people that loved you and most importantly left behind your whole life...may god rest your soul and to anyone that has something to say after a person who has died then I wish the same faith for them!
May 3, 2010 at 9:52 p.m.
Classic case of "GNA MERI ARI SIREM" which literally translates to, once you're dead then you're loved. These guys knew what they were doing, and so did everyone else who didn't turn a blind eye to it. It was inevitable, this was bound to happen.
June 30, 2010 at 9:27 a.m.
i miss the good old days, the friendship we shared..the passion in ur voice when u talked about your family and ur beautiful wife...you're truly the complete meaning of unforgettable
Aug. 16, 2010 at 12:39 a.m.
R.I.P. forever in our hearts...thinking of u <3
Aug. 19, 2010 at 11:35 p.m.
ohhhh man he got the easy way out
Aug. 23, 2010 at 1:32 p.m.
Hey my prince I miss you!!!! Wow can't believe it's almost a year since you left us :,( ..... Awww! I remember geting flowers from you everyday, our crazy nights out, and our get away trips. I really enjoyed every moment with you.... Till this day they all (Cristal, Lety, and Rachel) talk about you and tell me that they miss you.... Even though I shed tears, now I understand ur in a better place watching over us.... I will always have you in my heart, R.I.P my prince <3 you and see you soon :*
Feb. 20, 2011 at 1:46 p.m.
live by the gun, die by the gun
July 18, 2011 at 9:16 a.m.
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