Sources: Walgreens Clerk Called Man Who Ended Up Shooting And Killing Shoplifter
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police are still searching for the gunman who shot and killed a woman caught shoplifting at a Walgreens store in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood, claiming to be an officer, and sources say a clerk at the store had called that man for help.
Around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, a woman in her 30s was shoplifting at the Walgreens at Cicero and Fullerton, when a clerk confronted her, according to police.
Police sources told CBS 2's Brad Edwards the clerk called a friend for help, and the friend showed up at the store with a gun, and intervened as the clerk was confronting the shoplifter.
The gunman then began wrestling with the woman, shot her in the head, and ran away, sources said. The woman was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
UPDATE from Chicago Police:
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) June 13, 2019
-woman (in her 30's) was shoplifting inside store
-manager confronts her
-man (shooter) intervenes, starts talking to the woman
-that escalates to physical altercation
-man pulls gunm shoots woman
-police have clear surveillance pictures of shooter https://t.co/ZS9rJ66Ljr
According to police radio calls, witnesses said the man who shot her appeared to be a security guard. Witnesses also said the gunman claimed to be a Chicago police officer after he threw the woman to the ground and shot her.
However, police said the man is not an officer. While he might be an unlicensed security guard, the Walgreens does not have any security guards.
UPDATE: Chicago Police say they have clear surveillance pictures of the shooter and they are close to identifying him.
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) June 13, 2019
-Police say the shooter could be an unlicensed security guard, but he was NOT working security at the Walgreens
-Still no ID of victim @cbschicago https://t.co/ZS9rJ66Ljr
Investigators said they have clear surveillance video of the shooter's face and vehicle, which witnesses described as a Ford Explorer. Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said police have identified a person of interest wanted for questioning.
A person of interest has been identified for questioning in reference to the fatal shooting of a woman in the 4800 block of W. Fullerton. This incident did not involve any law enforcement officer or agents. Investigation continues. pic.twitter.com/kgkFxYgZ8p
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) June 13, 2019
The Medical Examiner's office has not released the victim's name and age because they are still trying to notify her family.
No one was in custody Thursday morning.
Area Central detectives were investigating.
A spokesperson for Walgreens said, "We are committed to providing a safe environment for our employees, patients and customers in the communities we serve. We are cooperating with Chicago police in its investigation."