Alleged Thief Slain by Shop Owner

An alleged bicycle thief was fatally shot Friday in North Hollywood after a struggle that began when he attacked a shop owner with a hammer, according to police.

No charges were filed against the proprietor of the Pedal Shop, at Lankershim Boulevard and Kling Street, where the confrontation took place. Police declined to name the businessman, identified in public records as Larry Hoffman, who they said had fired in self-defense.

The mortally wounded victim’s nephew drove him in a van to his nearby home in the 6100 block of Cleon Avenue. Identified by police as Antonio Fierro, 42, he was found dead in the van by relatives, who called the police.

According to police, the incident began about 12:30 p.m. when Fierro entered the store, inspected a few bicycles and left. Fifteen minutes later, when Hoffman was the only person in the store, Fierro returned, approached the counter and allegedly swung a hammer at him. The two struggled for the hammer until Hoffman broke free and ran out into the street, calling for help, police said.

He returned to the store, grabbed a .38-caliber revolver from under the counter, and went to the back of the store. There he saw Fierro throwing a mountain bike into a white van driven by his 31-year-old nephew, according to police. Fierro allegedly starting walking toward Hoffman with the hammer in his hand, and was shot when he ignored Hoffman’s warning to stop.