Charlotte security guard fires multiple rounds at fleeing shoplifters
Charlotte NC February 10, 2022
A person licensed as a security guard and employed by a private security business was assaulted and discharged a firearm, during a shoplifting situation, authorities said.
The situation unfolded near the Lowe’s on South Tryon Street just after 12 p.m. Tuesday.
According to a police report, two suspects picked up display items from the Lowe’s store, placed them in a cart and tried to leave without paying.
Police say a security officer confronted the suspects, but the suspects left with the items and then jumped in a vehicle.
At that point, the security officer said that he was assaulted but police did not say how. It was during this time as the men fled in a vehicle that the security officer fired his gun.
A witness said that the female security officer emptied her magazine at the fleeing vehicle and that she then reloaded her gun. “She emptied her clip.. I’ve seen her let off,” the witness said. “I was kind of traumatic. She was shooting at the car. I don’ know what she was shooting at because I didn’t see one bullet hit. She was shooting at the car. The car kept going. He was driving.”
Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the scene at the Whitehall Commons Shopping Center on South Tryon Street at around 12:30 p.m., where a heavy police presence could be seen. They also saw officers putting up crime scene tape between Lowe’s and the Walmart next door.
No one was hurt during the incident, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg police wants to learn if anyone in the car was hit and said that the security guard could face charges.
