Gene Atkins Convicted in Trader Joe's Shootout | Long Beach News

A man with a violent history, Gene Evin Atkins, was convicted of second-degree murder after a 2018 shootout at a Trader Joe’s that killed store manager Melyda Corado. Though prosecutors argued his actions provoked the lethal confrontation and an officer fired the fatal shot, the defense claimed he didn’t directly cause her death. This retrial followed a previous hung jury, and Atkins had already been convicted on 40 other charges. The victim’s family found closure in the verdict but not in their loss. Officers say they acted to protect lives, and the DA confirmed their use of force was justified. A lawsuit against the city was settled, and Atkins’ mental health history adds complexity to his case. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/315bf0adae7dc1c5