Man shot dead while trying to stop customers from stealing phone charger from his store in California
A Home Depot employee in California was shot and killed outside his store while trying to stop an alleged thief and her boyfriend, who fled with a two-year-old child in their car.
According to MailOnline, Blake Mohs, 26, was fatally wounded during a struggle which took place after he spotted the pair trying to leave in Pleasanton, east of San Francisco, on Tuesday.
The district is a Democrat enclave, and Home Depot has long been targeted by thieves. In 2019, the retailer began paying police overtime in Oakland – at least $2.1 million by 2021 – to guard its store.
Benicia Knapps, 32, and David Guillory, 31, were later arrested on suspicion of murder, robbery, child endangerment and conspiracy, according to police.
Knapps, a licensed security guard with a criminal history, had attempted to steal a phone charger, according to witnesses.
Police responded to calls at about 2.15pm of a man bleeding inside the store and rendered aid to the victim before he was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The Alameda County Coroner later confirmed the victim died, and Home Depot confirmed he was an employee.
‘We’re heartbroken over this senseless tragedy. Blake was our associate and friend, and our hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew and loved him,’ the retailer said in a statement.
