Off-Duty Security Guard Shoots Psychiatric Patient After Attack On Doctor

Boston, Massachusetts

From the October 27, 2009 Boston Globe:

A patient in a psychiatric center near the Massachusetts General Hospital stabbed his doctor this afternoon before being shot dead by an off-duty security guard, police said.

The physician is in stable condition, Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said at a press conference this afternoon as he described a chaotic scene.

A relative said the victim was Dr. Astrid Desrosiers, a Massachusetts General Hospital psychiatrist who worked at the center. Isabellie Desrosiers, Desrosiers' sister-in-law, said she had been told by Desrosiers' sister that Astrid had been shot. Police identified the patient late this afternoon as 37-year-old Jay Carciero of Reading.

The actions of the security guard, who does not work at the hospital, were hailed as "heroic" by Bonnie Michelman, head of security for Massachusetts General Hospital.

Alabama: Bingo hall robber shot and killed by security guard in Walker County, Alabama

Walker County, Alabama

From the Birmingham News of August 3, 2009

Bingo hall robber shot and killed by security guard in Walker County, Alabama

A Walker County man who authorities say shot up a bingo hall Saturday night during a robbery was shot and killed by a security guard, according to the Walker County sheriff.

William G. Cantrell Jr., 43, was declared dead at the scene after he was shot multiple times by a security guard at It's Your Lucky Day Charity Bingo at 20 Pineywoods Sipsey Road, Walker County Sheriff John Mark Tirey said.

According to Tirey, Cantrell entered through the front door around 11 p.m., fired his shotgun into the ceiling and yelled: "This is a robbery. Everybody get out of here." As he headed toward the cashiers' cages, Cantrell fired more shots at the ceiling, then fired at a cashier's cage and a safe, Tirey said. As two security guards approached, Cantrell turned his gun toward them and one of the guards shot him multiple times, the sheriff said.

Security cameras captured much of the scene, Tirey said. Authorities also interviewed about 40 to 45 witnesses, he said.

"It is a regrettable situation," Tirey said. "We're very fortunate we didn't have a lot of injuries. The potential was there."

Tirey said Cantrell arrived at the bingo hall in a vehicle he had stolen a couple of hours earlier. He robbed a Jasper business of the vehicle around 8:40 p.m., the sheriff said.

California: Would-be Walnut Creek armored truck robber flees after guard pulls gun

Walnut Creek, California

From the Contra Costa Times of August 11, 2009

Would-be Walnut Creek armored truck robber flees after guard pulls gun

A man tried to rob an armored truck security guard Tuesday morning before running away, police said.

The robbery attempt took place as the armored truck was parked near the intersection of South California Boulevard and Botelho Drive. The story was first reported by the blog Claycord.com, which obtained its information from a police radio broadcast.

At 10:30 a.m., the truck was parked as the guard was making a money pick-up at a business, Lt. Tim Barrett said. A man approached the guard and demanded he give him money. Instead, the guard went to pull out a firearm, and the would-be robber got into a white Dodge Caravan and drove away.

He did not appear to be armed, Barrett said. Police did not have a detailed description of him.

Florida: Brinks security guard fatally shot a would-be robber in Miami, witnesses say

Miami, Florida

From the Florida Sun Sentinel of July 25, 2009

Brinks security guard fatally shot a would-be robber in Miami, witnesses say

A Brinks security guard shot and killed a would-be robber who attacked him while he was making a routine stop at a South Miami-Dade health clinic Friday, according to witnesses.

After the 2 p.m. shooting outside the Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216th St., Miami-Dade police arrested two other suspects after a search of surrounding neighborhoods.

Miami-Dade police have not identified the dead man. Those arrested also were not identified.

"According to investigators, shots were fired when three subjects, armed with firearms, attempted to rob an armored truck crew making a pick up or delivery at the health center located at 10300 SW 216th Street,'' a Miami-Dade police statement said late Friday.

One employee of the health center, who did not want to be identified, told The Miami Herald that the shooting took place after the apparent robber attacked the Brinks security guard. The guard, said the witness, then shot the man outside the health center, which remained under lockdown for hours as police officers swarmed the area in search of the other suspects.

Miami Herald news partner WFOR-CBS 4 reported that police found the other suspects less than a mile away at the Cutler Creek Town Homes.

They reported that police officers went house to house and then surrounded one home.

Much of the area surrounding the health clinic and the neighborhood near the townhomes was swarming with police officers following the shooting.

La Petite Academy, a day care center on 216th Street in Cutler Bay, was placed on lockdown for hours, with parents not allowed to pick up their children, the station reported.

Maryland: Guard shoots man during attempted grocery store robbery

Arbitus, Maryland

From the Cantonsville Times of June 23, 2009

Guard shoots man during attempted grocery store robbery

An exchange of gunfire between a security guard and an alleged robber at the Mars Super Market on Maiden Choice Lane and Westland Boulevard, in Arbutus, Sunday evening left the alleged robber with several gunshot wounds, according to Baltimore County police.

It also left the store, at the Maiden Choice Shopping Center in the 1000 block of Maiden Choice Lane, without some of its front windows — which were boarded up Monday morning.

Neither the guard nor any customers in the store were injured, police said.

At 6:52 p.m. June 21, Jamison Harvey Johnson, 40, entered the store and “announced the robbery,” said Bill Toohey, a police spokesman.

Johnson then walked to the store’s customer service office, where he demanded and was given an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

An armed security guard employed by Mars who was inside the store followed Johnson to the store’s entrance and confronted him, police said.

Johnson, whose address is listed as “unknown” in court records, then shot at the guard, Toohey said.

The guard returned fire and Johnson then ran into the parking lot and got into a green Honda Accord, Toohey said.

As the gunman drove away, he again fired on the security guard, who again shot back, Toohey said.

The car was found a short time later at the end of Wilton Farm Drive, in Catonsville.

Police began searching the area, using a helicopter and a K-9 unit.

A man fitting Johnson’s description was spotted walking along Kenwood Avenue, in Catonsville, with several gunshot wounds by an officer involved in the search at about midnight, almost five hours after the gunfire occurred, Toohey said.

The man was caught after a brief foot chase, police said, and taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he received treatment for gunshot wounds.

Johnson was later charged with armed robbery, attempted murder and two handgun violations — one for the possession of a firearm with a felony conviction.

In 1996, Johnson, then living in the 1800 block of West Pratt Street, in Baltimore, was found guilty of robbery with a deadly weapon, according to court records.

Bail has been denied, and Johnson is being held in the Baltimore County Detention Center, in Towson.

Toohey said another man ran from the store during the incident, which “drew the interest of authorities.”

Police are “checking to see if there is any evidence that can link him to what happened,” Toohey said.

South Carolina: Man Shoots, Kills Robbery Suspect

Richland County, South Carolina

From WLTX of June 12, 2009

Man Shoots, Kills Robbery Suspect

Richland County deputies are investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex.

The incident took place at 12:01 a.m. Friday at the Colonial Villa Apartments on Garners Ferry Road.

According to deputies, a man was sitting in his car doing paperwork at the time of the confrontation. Deputies say he provides security detail for the apartments.

Deputies say a male suspect approached the car demanding the victim's handgun; however, deputies say the victim pulled out that weapon and shot the suspect.

The suspect was taken to the hospital where he later died.

WLTX.com will post further details as they become available.

Wisconsin: Security guard kills would-be robber, police say

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

From the Journal-Sentinel of June 3, 2009

Security guard kills would-be robber, police say

A security guard shot two men who were trying to rob a check cashing business on Milwaukee's northwest side Wednesday afternoon, killing one and injuring the other, police said.

Ronald Reed, 24, was shot in the back and collapsed in an alley behind the building at 3906 N. 76th St., where he was pronounced dead, police said.

His cousin, Vidal Mason, 22, turned up at a hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was in critical but stable condition late Wednesday.

The men were identified by family members at the scene.

Reed and Mason were arrested in 2005 for committing an armed robbery together, Assistant Police Chief James Harpole said. Both were convicted of two counts of armed robbery in 2006, according to online court records.

The men were armed with guns when they entered Check Into Cash about 3:40 p.m. and ordered everyone to the floor, including the security guard, according to Harpole and a statement from the Police Department.

One man told the other to shoot the guard, who got up and fired shots at both men, according to the statement.

"He felt that he was going to be shot or that someone else was going to be shot, so he took defensive action," Harpole said.

Reed ran from the store and collapsed in the alley, Harpole said.

Mason also ran from the store and wound up at a hospital.

No one else inside the store was injured, Harpole said. Money taken during the robbery was recovered, said the department's statement.

The security guard, who is in his 20s, was being interviewed by police, Harpole said. The preliminary investigation suggests the guard was properly licensed to carry a gun on the job, he said.

(More)

Texas: Suspect shot by security guard

Houston, Texas

From KTRK of April 3, 2009

Suspect shot by security guard

A suspected car burglar is recovering from a gunshot wound after being confronted by a security guard.

It happened in the parking lot of the Kings Best market on Martin Luther King near Old Spanish Trail. We're told the security guard spotted someone breaking into vehicles.

In the end, the suspect was shot in the leg. That man was taken to a hospital, and the security guard was questioned.

Florida: Would-Be Robber Shot, Killed In New Smyrna Beach

New Symrna Beach, Florida

From MSNBC of February 8, 2009

Would-Be Robber Shot, Killed In New Smyrna Beach

A would-be robber was shot and killed Saturday morning in New Smyrna Beach as a store owner was opening up his shop.

The robber was shot twice in the chest by a security guard at the Medicine Shoppe pharmacy Saturday at 10:15 a.m.

Police said the masked robber entered the store at 653 N. Dixie Freeway, put a gun to the head of the pharmacist and demanded drugs.

That's when the man with the gun was shot and killed by the security guard.

Neighboring store owners said the Medicine Shoppe had heard rumors lately that they were going to be held up, and as a result had hired the security guard.

"It was kind of chaotic," said neighboring store owner Julie Mokas. "Everyone was peeking out their doors. No one knew what was going on."

According to neighboring shop owners, the security guard is a retired sheriff's deputy who is related to an employee of the Medicine Shoppe. However, police would not confirm that.

"They were tipped off that somebody was gonna rob them, and they had an undercover cop sitting in there," Mokas said.

The shooting is being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the state attorney's office but police appear to support the guard's actions.

"The security guard did what he had to do, and he protected the pharmacist," said New Smyrna Beach police Sgt. Michael Brouillette.

The pharmacist and one clerk, who were in the store at the time of the hold-up, were not harmed.

The store had been held up twice before. It was robbed in May 2006 and April 2007. Both were armed hold-ups with suspects looking for drugs. Police have not yet released the name of the victim or of the security guard involved in the shooting.

Texas: Police ID suspect killed in bank robbery attempt

Dallas, Texas

From the Houston Chronicle of December 17, 2008

Police ID suspect killed in bank robbery attempt

Police on Wednesday identified the suspect and the security guard who fatally shot him during an attempted bank robbery in south Dallas.

The suspect in the attempted bank robbery Tuesday was 31-year-old Christopher Sebastian Jones.

Jones was fatally shot inside a bank after exchanging gunfire with security guard Matthew Scott Prindle, 36. Jones entered a branch of Chase Bank and shot at Prindle, who was grazed in the upper body but not seriously injured. Prindle returned fire, striking Jones, who died inside the bank.

Members of a police tactical unit entered the bank after seeing a woman hiding under a desk. Officers then found Jones' body.

Kentucky: Guard shoots man in store robbery

Irvine, Kentucky

From the Lexington Herald-Leader of December 22, 2008

Guard shoots man in store robbery

A security guard shot the alleged would-be robber of a grocery store Sunday night, Irvine police said.

Police would not identify the two men, but Officer Brian Brooks said the wounded man was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital for treatment.

Brooks responded to a call at 7:17 p.m. Sunday at Priceless Foods, 1012 Winchester Road in Irvine. Upon entering, he found a man, armed with a small-caliber revolver, slumped over the cash register. The man, in his 20s, then fell to the floor.

The guard had shot the man with a .357 Magnum, Brooks said.

California: Guard fatally shoots man armed with swords at Scientology building

Hollywood, California

From the LA Times of November 24, 2008

Guard fatally shoots man armed with swords at Scientology building

A security guard at the Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre in Hollywood on Sunday shot and killed a man wielding two samurai swords, police said.

Police detained the guard for questioning but said that a surveillance tape at the facility backed his claim that he fired his semiautomatic handgun to protect himself and two colleagues.

"The evidence is very clear the security officers were defending their safety," said Deputy Chief Terry S. Hara of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police did not release the name of the guard or the man killed in the shooting, which occurred about noon. An investigator said the man had a history with the church but was not a member now. The tape showed the man arriving at the Celebrity Centre's Bronson Avenue parking lot in a red convertible, getting out of the vehicle and approaching a trio of security guards and waving a sword in each hand, Hara said.

He said the man, who was described as being in his 40s, was "close enough to hurt them" when the guard fired. The man was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Det. Wendi Berndt said the man was involved with the church "a long time ago."

"There was a previous relationship, but it is unclear to what degree," she said.

A teenager who saw the man arrive in the parking lot said he stopped the car abruptly in the driveway and climbed out with a 5-foot sword in his hand and an angry expression on his face.

Tony Marquez, 17, said the man, who was bald and had tattoos on his arms, walked toward the building, then returned to the car to get the other sword.

"I thought it was part of a show," said Marquez, of Ontario. He and his mother entered the building before the shooting began.

Police said the guard worked for a private security company. Detectives cordoned off the Franklin Avenue complex with yellow tape as investigators combed through the man's Toyota Solara. The incident occurred at one of Hollywood's most distinctive landmarks. Originally a luxury hotel, the eight-story building was built in the style of a 17th century French castle with a striking white facade and turrets that loom over the nearby Hollywood Freeway.

The church remade the building into a facility aimed at celebrities 39 years ago. According to a church website, the Celebrity Centre caters to "artists, politicians, leaders of industry, sports figures and anyone with the power and vision to create a better world." The complex includes a restaurant, theater and hotel. Representatives of the church did not return calls.

"I have no information," said a woman who answered the phone at the Celebrity Centre.

The facility is ringed by a fence, and security cameras dot the property's perimeter. Guards on bikes also patrol the area.

"That is one thing about living here, you get free security," said Brant Hoibin, 34, who lives in an apartment adjacent to the Celebrity Centre.

Missouri: Security Guard Shoots Man At Liquor Store

Kansas City, Missouri

From KCTV of September 24, 2008

Security Guard Shoots Man At Liquor Store

A man was shot by a liquor store security guard on Tuesday night, police said.

Officers said the guard told them a man, who he thought had a gun, was causing problems at the Royal Liquor Store on Southwest Boulevard about 9 p.m.

After telling the man to leave, the guard said the man became violent and during a struggle, the security guard shot him.

The man ran off, and police later found him in an alley about a block away. They did not find a gun.

The man's injuries are considered life-threatening, police said.

California: Guard wounds teen after 3 shot at Hayward bar

Hayward, California

From the San Francisco Chronicle of August 5, 2008

Guard wounds teen after 3 shot at Hayward bar

An armed security guard at a Hayward restaurant and karaoke bar shot a teenager early Sunday after the teen shot three people in the parking lot outside the bar, police said.

Oakland resident Adrian Dantoc, 18, and two other teenage suspects - John Catolos, 19, and Julian Logan, 19, both of Oakland - fled the scene but were caught by police and arrested on four counts of attempted murder, Hayward police said. All three are in custody at the Santa Rita Jail.

The incident happened at about 1:29 a.m. Sunday, when Dantoc and the two other teenagers allegedly confronted the three shooting victims, who were riding bikes through the parking lot of Manila Garden Restaurant on Hesperian Boulevard, police said.

When a fight started, Dantoc allegedly grabbed a gun from a nearby car and shot the three victims multiple times, police said. A security guard who works in the restaurant on weekends went outside when he heard gunshots and allegedly saw Dantoc firing the gun, police said. The guard told Dantoc to drop the gun and Dantoc allegedly fired at him; the guard then shot him in the leg, police said.

Dantoc and the two other suspects then drove to a home on Lester Avenue in Oakland, allegedly throwing away the gun along the way, police said. Residents at the home called 911 to get medical help for Dantoc's injury, and the three suspects were arrested when police arrived. Dantoc was treated at a local hospital.

The victims - ages 41, 23 and 17 - are all expected to survive. The eldest victim was shot in the torso and was admitted to Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley, where he is in stable condition, police said. The 17-year-old was shot three times - in the face, hip and hand - but none of the wounds were life-threatening, and he was treated and released from a local hospital.

The 23-year-old victim, who was shot in the arm, was also treated and released.

An investigation found that the security guard, a 45-year-old Hayward man who police did not identify, was justified in shooting Dantoc to protect his own life, police said.

"The round that was fired at the security officer went into the building just 2 feet above his head," said Hayward police Lt. Christine Orrey. "He was certainly justified shooting back."

California: Man shot with own gun while trying to rob Van Nuys bank, police say

Van Nuys, California

From the Los Angles Times of July 26, 2008

Man shot with own gun while trying to rob Van Nuys bank, police say

A would-be bank robber was shot with his own gun this afternoon during a botched heist attempt in Van Nuys, police said.

The gun-toting man walked into a branch of Wells Fargo bank in the 6800 block of Van Nuys Boulevard around 12:30 p.m. and tried to pull off a one-man caper, said Officer Kate Lopez, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

A security guard confronted the man and "a struggle ensued," Lopez said. The robber, whose identity has not been released, was shot as the two wrestled for control of the weapon.

No other details of the altercation were available and no bank patrons or employees were injured.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital and his condition is not known. The guard suffered minor injuries that did not require medical attention.

Texas: Bouncer at Sugar's strip club shoots, kills knife-wielding customer

Houston, Texas

From KHOU of July 21, 2008

Bouncer at Sugar's strip club shoots, kills knife-wielding customer

Houston police on Monday were questioning the bouncer of a strip club who claims he was forced to shoot a customer over the weekend.

It happened at the Sugars club off the Gulf Freeway at Dixie Farm Road.

The customer was apparently drunk and angry about being told to leave the establishment.

Witnesses said he got a knife from his car and started slashing tires.

When the bouncer tried to stop him, the customer allegedly lunged at him with the knife.

That’s when the bouncer pulled out his weapon and opened fire.

The man died at the hospital.

Officials said no charges are expected to be filed.

Security Guard Shoots Homeless Man in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, Utah

From July 9, 2008 KSL-TV:

A bullet fired on a Salt Lake City street at lunchtime killed a man. Now we're learning the gun may have been fired in self-defense.

The shooting happened during a confrontation between two men near 1400 South and West Temple. Witnesses say 47-year-old Mike James May, a transient in the area, began yelling at people who were sitting outside Mama's Southern Plantation restaurant.

The witnesses say May took a swing at the customers, threatened them and a security guard and then reached inside his jacket or backpack. That's when the security guard pulled out his concealed weapon and fired. That single shot, which hit the May in the torso, was fatal.

Mark Cazares, co-owner of Mama's Southern Plantation, believes it's a case of self-defense. "For him [the security guard] to defend himself this way, he had to feel his life was in danger. He, once again, he was a Vietnam vet, so he's had to deal with weapons and things before. I'm sure this was a life-threatening situation to him," he said.

...

Police say the security guard has been very cooperative with them and, as of about a half hour ago, they have decided not to book him. They say they will meet with the district attorney very soon to discuss the case.

Arizona: Security officer shoots, kills local man

Tuscon, Arizona

From KVBC of June 13, 2008

Security officer shoots, kills local man

Metro police responded to the Sierra Point Apartments located on Sierra Vista Avenue and Cambridge Thursday night, following a report that an individual had been shot.

When police arrived, they found the deceased 34-year-old Roberto Simmon lying on the ground outside of his apartment.

Police say that a security officer responded to a complaint of loud music at Simmon's apartment. According to witnesses, when the security officer knocked on the door, Simmon attacked the officer and tried to wrestle his gun away from him.

Neighbors say it was an uneven match between the two men, and that Simmon was physically much larger than the security guard.

As a result of the struggle, the security officer fired one shot at the man and killed him.

Neighbors say Simmon got along with most people at the Sierra Point apartments where he lived. They say he often hosted community barbecues in the courtyard in front of his home.

Police say charges have yet to be filed and this is an ongoing investigation.

This incident is Las Vegas' 57th homicide to date. This number is slightly lower than last year at this time.

Louisiana: Church security guard shoots man in chest

Shreveport, Louisiana

From the Shreveport Times of June 5, 2008

Church security guard shoots man in chest

Members of Mount Canaan Baptist let out of their Wednesday service to find a regular visitor had been shot in the chest by the Shreveport church's security guard.

At some point during the service, the man left the sanctuary and became involved in an altercation with the security guard, Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn said.

"He frequents different churches. He came here this (Wednesday) evening and was asked to leave because of his demeanor and actions."

Police still are investigating what caused the altercation outside the Alston Street church, Whitehorn said. The man had an object in his jacket he was using "in a threatening way," the police chief said.

Joanne Carter identified the wounded man as her brother Joe "Jake" Morris, 61, a disabled veteran who has been diagnosed schizophrenic.

"He does this holy dance, and they don't like it. Some men or women run around the church, and that's what he does," Carter said. "He goes to an extreme. Deacons have thrown stuff at him before."

Lashonda Nelson, who was in the service, said Morris was not being disruptive.

"Usually, he clowns, but there wasn't no clowning or anything. He was doing good. He talked to the preacher and left."

Nelson said she did not hear a gunshot and the congregation was unaware of what happened until the preacher announced it.

Morris was taken to LSU Hospital in Shreveport for treatment of a wound that was not life-threating, Whitehorn said.

Police are working to determine if the shooting was justifiable.

The guard was upset following the incident, Whitehorn said. "It's bothering him immensely."

Texas: Guard shoots man at FW grocery store

Fort Worth, Texas

From WFAA of May 23, 2008

Guard shoots man at FW grocery store

A man suspected of stealing may have been fatally shot outside a Fort Worth grocery store after he was followed to his car.

The incident began after a Sack 'n Save manager became suspicious of a man exiting the store who he believed was carrying stolen merchandise at around 8:25 p.m., authorities said.

The manager followed the man into the store's parking lot in the 3400 block of Altamesa Boulevard and confronted him as he got into a white truck.

As the manager attempted to detain the man, the suspect began to drive off. A security guard, who had walked outside to check on the manager, said the truck drove straight towards him, which was when he fired a shot at the vehicle. The truck fled the scene.

Authorities later discovered a man was admitted with a gunshot wound to the Huguley Hospital in Fort Worth. The man, who police believe may have been the driver of the white truck, was pronounced dead at the hospital.