Man Shot by Security Guard at Minimarket
A Lancaster man was in serious condition Saturday after being shot by a convenience store security guard who was trying to detain the man after he was identified as a suspect in a previous theft of beer, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.
David Martinez, 26, was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center with a single gunshot wound following the incident that occurred at 10:45 p.m. Friday at Little Mini Market in the 300 block of West Avenue I, authorities said.
The shooting occurred after a clerk in the store identified Martinez as a suspect in a previous theft of beer, Deputy Ed Grantham said.
When a security guard tried to detain him, Martinez fled the store and was shot outside as the guard pursued him, sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies said they believed the shooting was accidental, but it was unclear how the revolver discharged or if there had been a struggle.
Authorities declined to identify the guard but said he was not arrested.
“They’re handling it as an accidental shooting until the detectives do a follow-up investigation,” Grantham said.
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