Update: Woman fatally shot by security guard outside San Francisco Walgreens on Market Street
SAN FRANCISCO -- Police in San Francisco are investigating a shooting by a private security guard outside a Walgreens on Market Street early Thursday evening that left a woman dead, according to authorities.
Police said shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to a report of a shooting at a business located on the 800 block of Market Street near Fourth Street and the Westfield Mall entrance. Arriving officers located a 24-year-old woman just outside the Walgreens store suffering from injuries caused by a gunshot.
The San Francisco Medical Examiner on Friday identified the woman as 24-year-old San Francisco resident Chynna Brown.
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Police provided aid and called paramedics to the scene, who transported the victim to an area hospital. Authorities did not provide information regarding the woman's medical condition. Officers detained a person possibly involved in the shooting.
Video from the scene showed evidence markers directly outside the Market Street Walgreens location.
On Friday, police confirmed that despite efforts by first responders and medical personnel, the victim succumbed to her injuries. The department's Homicide Detail has taken over the investigation.
Police said the preliminary investigation determined that a theft allegedly occurred during the incident. The investigation identified the shooting suspect who had been detained as 33-year-old Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, who was working as a private security guard, reportedly at the Walgreens store.
Anthony was booked into San Francisco County Jail on the charge of homicide.
KPIX contacted Walgreens for comment and received the following statement:
"We are thinking of the victim and their family during this difficult time. The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our top priority, and violence of any kind will not be tolerated in our stores. We take this matter seriously and are cooperating with local authorities."
"People just walk in and steal. They're belligerent. A lot of times the security guards are overwhelmed," said San Francisco resident Ira, who asked that his last name not be used.
Ira works near the Walgreens on Market Street and Union Square, cleaning sidewalks. He sees everything from petty crime to violent confrontations in the area.
"It's an unfortunate situation. It needs to be addressed in a proper fashion by the proper authorities that deal with that type of situation," said Ira.
The latest SFPD report shows gun violence and gun-related deaths are tracking slightly lower compared to the same time period in 2022 and lower than 2021.
Regular customers say there's rampant shoplifting daily, but most incidents end with a confiscation of items, rather than an escalation of violence.
When contacted for comment, Kingdom Group Protective Services Private Security -- the company who employed the Walgreens security guard -- told KPIX, "Because this matter is under investigation we are unable to comment."
"What could have been stolen that warranted taking a life?" asked Michael Huff, a criminal defense attorney, with a law enforcement background.
"Here's someone in uniform and maybe armed who's usually there to deter crime. But in the event a crime occurs, unless there's significant threat of bodily injury or death, lethal force is generally going to be considered excessive," added Huff.
While an arrest has been made, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the SFPD 24-hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Kenny Choi contributed to this story.
