Attempted Robbery at Winchell's Donut House Ends in Police Shooting and Arrest

An attempted armed robbery at a Winchell's Donut House in the Harvard Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles escalated into an officer-involved shooting early Wednesday morning, culminating in the arrest of a 41-year-old suspect.

Late-Night Assault at Donut Shop

The incident occurred around 3:21 a.m. on May 28, 2025, in the 1700 block of South Western Avenue. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the suspect, identified as Christopher Hall, entered the 24-hour donut shop wearing a distinctive green swimsuit and a pink jacket. Hall brandished what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun, demanding cash from the register and pistol-whipping a female employee when she did not comply immediately. The worker sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Tactical Search and Police Confrontation

LAPD officers responded swiftly to the robbery call. With the assistance of an air unit tracking the suspect's movements, officers located Hall at a nearby apartment complex. When patrol officers confronted the suspect and ordered him to drop the weapon, Hall refused to comply and pointed the firearm directly at them.

Shots Fired and Arrest

Fearing for their safety, officers fired at the suspect. Hall was not struck by the gunfire. Officers then deployed a TASER to subdue him, taking him into custody without further incident. Investigators later recovered a black airsoft pistol resembling a real firearm at the scene. Hall faces charges of attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.