MONTEBELLO >> A Montebello restaurant owner shot during a robbery along Whittier Boulevard shot back at his two assailants, fatally wounding both early Saturday, police said.

Montebello police said the robbery and shooting unfolded about 12:15 a.m. at a restaurant in the 2100 block of West Whittier Boulevard, which had already closed for the night.

“The preliminary investigation has determined both suspects were armed with handguns (and) attempted to rob the victim,” police said in a written statement.“During the robbery, one of the suspects fired multiple shots at the victim, striking the victim once. The victim, a local business owner, returned fire striking both suspects.”

The business owner, a man estimated to be in his 30s, was expected to survive his injuries, Lt. Michael Bergman said.

Officers found one of the wounded suspects at the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the statement. The second suspect was found around the corner in the 100 block of North Wilcox Avenue suffering from a single gunshot wound.

Both suspects died from their injuries at the scene, Bergman said.

The names of the suspects had not been released Saturday pending notification of their family members, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Joyce Kato said. Both were initially described as men in their 20s.

The identity of the business owner was being withheld due to concerns for his safety, police said.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Montebello police Detective C. Adams or Detective P. Antista at 323-887-1313.