Two security guards were shot and injured at a downtown Los Angeles shopping center after confronting a man attempting to leave a Target store with a suitcase filled with unpaid merchandise, police said Tuesday.
Why It Matters
California has seen a rise in shoplifting incidents, prompting a shift in prevention measures and legislation.
In November, Proposition 36 passed, stiffening penalties for theft offenses. It reversed some of the more lenient provisions of previous laws and increased the potential for prison sentences for repeat offenders.
In August, data from Council on Criminal Justice's mid-year report found that shoplifting increased by 24 percent in the first half of 2024.
In many cases, shoplifting is seen as a "crime of necessity" for low-income Americans. As inflation continues to impact both businesses and families, shoplifting rates have surged even higher.
What To Know
Los Angeles Police Officer Drake Madison said that the incident unfolded on Monday night when the guards confronted the suspected shoplifter. Los Angeles Police Captain Raul Jovel said a scuffle ensued, during which the suspect pulled out a pistol and "fired indiscriminately."
According to Jovel, one of the security officers was armed and fired back at the suspect. The captain said over 10 rounds were fired during the incident.
Both guards were reported to be in stable condition Tuesday morning. The suspect remains at large. No other shoppers were harmed during the incident.
What People Are Saying
While speaking with KABC-TV, shopper Judith Conway said she was near the checkout line when the shots rang out.
"[It was] extremely loud, extremely traumatic," Conway said, according to KABC-TV. "We all just started running towards the back. We were guided by one of the sales reps, one of the cashiers I should say, at the front. But extremely traumatic, we heard several rounds go off, and we just pretty much ran towards the back and just left our items in the cart, and just tried to do the best that we could to get to safety."
"Some people were running towards the aisles, some people were hiding toward the clothes, everyone just started running and scattering in different directions," Conway added.
What's Next
The Los Angeles Police Department released a photo of the suspect which was obtained exclusively by KABC-TV.
Police are likely to release further information into the incident as they continue to search for the suspect.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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