October 18, 2024: Three Men Charged in Violent West LA Follow-Home Robbery; One Victim Critically Wounded

If convicted as charged, the defendants face life in prison

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that three men have been charged in connection with a follow-home attempted armed robbery in West Los Angeles that left one victim critically injured and one suspect dead.

"This brazen attack is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by follow-home robberies, a disturbing trend that we are committed to cracking down on with the full force of the law," District Attorney Gascón said. "No one should fear for their safety simply by returning home, and we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our community. Our office and particularly our Community Violence Reduction Division will continue working relentlessly with law enforcement to hold those responsible for these heinous acts accountable and ensure justice is served."

Jason Melara (DOB 9/21/2005), Daymonee Johnson (DOB 09/03/2005) and Mahki Taylor (DOB 11/12/2005) all of Oakland, were each charged with one count of murder, one count of second-degree robbery and one count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle. Each was also charged with two counts of attempted second-degree robbery and two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm. Taylor was additionally charged with one count of attempted murder. Each faces special allegations of use of a firearm.

Arraignment in case 24CJCF06427 is set for today, Dept. 3oof the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Each is being held without bail. If convicted as charged, the defendants face life in prison.

On Sept. 13, a husband and wife were allegedly confronted in the driveway of their home in West LA by armed men demanding property from them. During the incident, one of the men is accused of shooting the husband, striking him in the head. He remains in critical condition. A fourth suspect, later identified as Mario Melara, was fatally wounded. On Oct. 10, the defendants were arrested in Northern California.

The case is being prosecuted by LADA's Community Violence Reduction Division and was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery/Homicide Division.