A 31-year-old suspect from Sylmar has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of the famed tattoo, graffiti and piercing artist known as Trigz, police said today.

See also: Trigz, Tattoo Icon, Murdered in North Hollywood

Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department today said Robert Falcon was charged yesterday with suspicion of murder. He was being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

On the evening of Oct. 9 Trigz, born Michael Pebly, was shot outside a North Hollywood smoke shop after he got into fisticuffs with a man inside, police said.

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Pebly had apparently been working at a tattoo shop a few doors down. Immediately following the attack he was photographed down on a sidewalk, with people crowding around him.

“When the officers arrived, they discovered the victim lying on the sidewalk with an apparent gunshot wound,” the LAPD said in a statement:

The suspect was inside a business in the 6300 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard when the victim walked in. The victim and suspect became involved in an argument that escalated into a physical fight. The suspect and victim exited the business, at which time the suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim. The suspect fled the area. 

Falcon was arrested at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, according L.A. Sheriff's Department inmate data.

We called detectives to get more information about the allegations, including a possible motive, but we were told no further details would be released because the investigation was still ongoing—despite the arrest.


Trigz was known for his distinctively tattooed face, which has been seen in music videos. He also reportedly inked at least one tattoo for singer Chris Brown.

In recent days a mural based on the photo at the top of this story was dedicated to his memory, according to the photographer, Pep Williams, who was a friend. It's near the scene of the crime.

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