Vigil Set For Suspected Shoplifter Shot By Walgreens Security Guard
HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA) — The family of a man who was shot and killed by a Walgreens security guard is demanding answers Tuesday.
Jonathan Hart, 21, was shot and killed Sunday night at the Hollywood store in what the guard told police was a shoplifting incident. Hart's friends who were in the store at the time of the shooting, however, say the man they knew as Sky was not shoplifting.
Both Hart's friends and the police appear to agree that he was not armed at the time of the shooting. But he did have a physical altercation with the guard before trying to either run away or leave the store, prompting the guard to open fire.
Hart was taken to a hospital, where he died. He was shot in the upper body.
Cell phone video in the aftermath of the shooting shows the unidentified security guard kneeling over Hart's body in the middle of several shelves and refrigerators full of wine.
The 24-hour Hollywood store remained closed overnight. Its front door handles were wrapped with "caution" tape and a note taped to the front glass door said the store would not reopen until 8 a.m. Tuesday, and apologized for the inconvenience.
Walgreens released the following statement:
"We're deeply concerned about this incident and the loss of life. We're gathering facts and fully cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation of the incident. The safety and security of all our customers and employees is our top priority."
A vigil was scheduled to be held later in the evening in front of the Hollywood store.
