Pair Charged in Shooting of 2 Brothers at Restaurant

A Glendale man has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting of two brothers during a confrontation outside a Glendale restaurant Jan. 12. The man’s companion, who was also wounded in the incident, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Hovik Mankyan, 27, was arraigned Monday on one count each of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail, police said.

Glendale police investigator Tom Kuh said Mankyan’s companion, Gaik Makarosyan, 31, of Glendale was arrested Tuesday at his residence. He was being held Wednesday afternoon in lieu of $15,000 bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment.

Mankyan was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of shooting Tigran Konanyan, 39, and Ashot Konanyan, 32, after an argument at the Little Russia Restaurant at Chevy Chase Drive and Broadway. The four men began arguing over the singing of an Armenian birthday song, police said.

“The victims were talking during the song, unaware that it was being played,” Kuh said. The song “evokes feelings of nationalism and pride,” and the suspects, both Armenian immigrants, were apparently insulted by the brother’s conversation, Kuh said.

After the argument began, the restaurant’s owner asked Mankyan and Makarosyan to leave. Twenty minutes later, the brothers and their guests left, but were met outside Mankyan and Makarosyan.

“Another argument ensued, and again the owner asked them to leave the property,” Kuh said. Not satisfied with the brother’s apologies, Kuh said Mankyan threatened to kill Tigran Konanyan.

Mankyan is accused of shooting both brothers once in the leg. Makarosyan was wounded in the gunfire.