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| Scene of Columbus Walmart shooting (screencap from linked video) |
(UPDATED - See below)
A privately-contracted security guard, Gerald Wheeler, was patrolling the parking lot of a Walmart in Columbus, Ohio, when he was approached by a man, 29-year-old Terrance Blake.
Blake then pulled out a handgun and shot Wheeler in the chest, then took off in Wheeler's security truck, lights still flashing. Police quickly caught up to him and arrested him.
Wheeler is in critical condition.
From an article and news video:
Columbus police say the security guard, Gerald Wheeler, was performing his duties while working at the lot in the 3900 block of Morse Road.
Around 1:30 a.m. officers say Wheeler, an employee of Securitas Security Services, was approached by 29-year-old Terrance Blake and shot with a .25 caliber pistol.
Police say that's when Blake stole Wheeler's security vehicle and fled the scene.
Officers caught up with Blake few miles away on Vindome and Argyle drives.
Police said Blake was being charged with aggravated robbery and then transported to the Franklin County Jail.
Investigators say they are looking at surveillance video that may have captured the shooting on camera.
A branch manager with Securitas said that Wheeler has only been employed with the company for about four months. He is described as a good worker and a great man.In March of 2012, there was another shooting at a Columbus Walmart (a different Walmart store) that involved a law enforcement officer shooting a shoplifter who tried to run him over.
Walmart. Save money. Die faster.
UPDATE (4/23/14): The shooter, Blake, was sentenced to 12 years. He was a felon, and was high on drugs when he committed the crime. He doesn't know why he committed the crime. The victim, Wheeler, was shot in a kidney but recovered.
