Guard Shoots, Kills Suspected Shoplifter

A drugstore security guard shot to death a suspected shoplifter who had threatened him with a razor blade, police said Sunday. The guard, who was not charged, had escorted the shoplifter outside the Thrifty Drug and Discount Store at 650 S. Alvarado shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, Sgt. T. Taitreau said.

The guard fired a warning shot into the air and ordered the suspect to drop the blade but he continued to advance and slash with it, Taitreau said. The guard fired once, fatally wounding the suspected shoplifter, she said. The wounded man, about 20 years old, whose name was withheld until relatives could be notified, was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he died.