Two security guards at the FIGat7th shopping plaza in downtown Los Angeles were injured during a gunfight with a suspected shoplifter who attempted to steal over $1,000 worth of merchandise from a Target store, police said Tuesday.
The incident occurred Monday night when the guards confronted the suspect as he exited the store carrying a bag stuffed with stolen items, including clothing and stationery, according to Los Angeles Police Captain Raul Jovel. The suspect fired at least five shots during the altercation, and one of the guards returned fire.
The suspect fled the scene, prompting a manhunt that ended hours later with the suspect’s arrest following a standoff at an apartment in Westlake, California. Captain Jovel commended the swift resolution of the case, stating, “We’re really lucky nobody got killed in this incident.”
One of the injured guards was a loss prevention officer for Target, while the other was an armed security officer employed by the mall. Both guards sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and no shoppers were reported injured during the incident.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene inside the Target store. Judith Conway, a shopper present during the shooting, told KABC-TV, “We heard several rounds go off, and we just pretty much ran towards the back and left our items in the cart, trying to get to safety.”
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about retail theft in California, which voters have increasingly addressed in recent measures. A recently passed ballot initiative now classifies shoplifting as a felony for repeat offenders, reversing a previous law that downgraded theft under $950 to a misdemeanor. Viral videos earlier this year showcased large-scale shoplifting incidents, fueling public frustration and calls for stricter measures.
Authorities have urged the public to share any additional information about the case and emphasized that the suspect was considered dangerous. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to analyze the circumstances surrounding the gunfight and theft.
