Shoplifter shoots security guard

[Hum]

MARGATE, FL (WSVN) -- A family is in agony after their loved one, a security officer, was shot and killed over two packs of undershirts.

"He was the best father there was," said the victim's son Christian John. "You know, for a guy to kill him over shirts is ridiculous."

John was a retired New York City corrections officer. He moved to Florida with his wife and began working as a Loss Prevention Specialist at a Walmart a few years back. "He's regarded as an excellent employee," said Margate Police Lieutenant Andy Zettek.

That Friday work called him in. The 49-year-old had just phoned his son Christian, who still lives in New York. "He called to tell me that he loves me and he misses me," said Christian. But he would never see his father alive again.

The suspect, identified as Terrell Johnson, was caught stealing $16 undershirts, according to police.

John stopped the 22-year-old before he could walk out. But Johnson, who had been arrested before, was armed. "I was told he was shot in the heart," said Christian.

"The suspect was being detained for taking two packets of undershirts," said Zettek, who added that the alleged shoplifter would commit suicide soon after. "He then fled on foot, and we located him and found that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Cameras at the Walmart were able to record an accomplice who dropped off the suspect in the parking lot. Police have questioned the woman and there could possibly be more arrests in this case.

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[Growled Member]

All that over t-shirts? Seems almost like something out of a movie.

[Twiddle]

Very sad indeed, for something so little.

On a side note, I am so glad I left Florida long ago. Seems everyday some ridiculous crime comes from Florida, more than most places.

[Jojo81]

That is why you should let the thieves go and have the cops handle it. You don't want to risk lives over some crap.

[SupportGeek]

Sad and pointless that this guy chose to take the life of another over tshirts.

That is why you should let the thieves go and have the cops handle it. You don't want to risk lives over some crap.

Cops aren't going to chase down shoplifters, there are few enough of them to pay attention to major crimes and collect ticket taxes for the state.

Stores employ these loss prevention security people so that they don't go out of business from losses, compared to how many people get stopped shoplifting by these guards, an incident like this is way beyond the pale in frequency.

[Hum]

He could have probably got cheap t-shirts at a thrift shop or charity for nothing.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Do security guards even carry guns?

[Hum]

^ Not at a Wal-Mart -- but at banks and Military installations.