Man Convicted in Shooting Death of Northridge Jeweler

A 29-year-old man was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in the shooting death of a jewelry store owner during a botched robbery attempt in Northridge.

Gaik Papazyan faces 50 years to life in prison for the killing of jeweler Karo Zeytounyan, 44, of Diamond Bar in December 2000. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 24 in San Fernando Superior Court.

The verdict, which jurors reached after two hours of deliberation, caused emotional outbursts in the courtroom, which was filled with about 20 members of Zeytounyan’s family and about a dozen Papazyan relatives.

The two families had to be escorted out through separate exits by sheriff’s deputies.

“We are glad that justice was served,” said Zeytounyan’s sister, Liz Tokatlian, 34, of Los Angeles. “But this does not make things better. Not by a lot.”

Zeytounyan’s wife, Louiza, said she still does not feel a sense of closure.

“I hope the other ones involved are caught to face the same justice,” she said.

Papazyan and possibly two others robbed Zeytounyan’s Sunrise Jewelry store on Dec. 7, 2000, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Robin Allen.

During the midday incident in the 8900 block of Tampa Avenue, Papazyan shot Zeytounyan four times with a handgun and left jewelry scattered on the floor around him, Allen said.

Police described the incident as “a robbery gone wrong,” but Allen argued that Papazyan’s intention was to kill Zeytounyan because he came into the store armed with two loaded handguns and a silencer.

Papazyan was arrested a few blocks away after someone followed him and notified police. No other arrests have been made, Allen said.

Zeytounyan, a native of Armenia, was the father of two boys ages 12 and 7 and owned a second shop in North Hollywood.

Papazyan’s attorney said he plans to appeal.