Harbor City

“It's Just Senseless”: Restaurant Owner, Customer Killed by Masked Gunman

Detectives say a masked gunman walked into Bob's Hamburgers, killing two men, including the owner.

A shooting at a burger joint in Harbor City Wednesday left the owner and a customer dead, in what police are investigating as a possibly gang-related attack. 

A masked gunman walked into the busy Bob's Hamburgers restaurant in the 1100 block of West Pacific Coast Highway around 9:30 a.m., and opened fire, killing two, police said. 

A man in his 20s died at the scene, and the eatery's owner, who was in his 60s, died at a hospital. Their names were withheld pending notification of their relatives, but investigators said the older man was well known in the community and had recently sold the business.

Police believe the owner — identified as Bob Antolenos by relatives — was the unintended target in the shooting. 

"As he started firing, a couple of rounds missed the victim ... and struck the glass here ... one hit the menu up there ... at least one round hit the owner Bob, behind the counter," LAPD Detective David Cortez told NBC4. 

An employee said Bob's Hamburgers had been operating for about 30 years, and distraught customers said that the longtime owner was known for giving out free food to those in need.

"He was such a great man," said Maria Rosales, an employee. "He was helpful, respectful, responsible. He was always happy, always smiling."

Antonelos' niece Leticia Page said opening the restaurant was his dream. 

"He was a good man, and he never did anything bad to anyone ... it's just senseless, it's not fair," Page said. 

A description of the suspect had not been released as of Wednesday night.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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