Security guard shoots masked man inside Kroger, sheriff says

HARRISON TWP. — One person is in the hospital after being shot by a security guard at a Kroger in Harrison Twp.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck said store management had reported someone they wanted out of the store around 8:09 a.m. This person was heavily covered with things including a face mask.

A third-party security guard contracted by Kroger approached the man and asked him to leave the store. At that point, Streck said the suspect produced a handgun.

>> PHOTOS: Shooting prompts investigation at local Kroger

The security then pulled their weapon and shot the suspect.

“There’s shots fired at Kroger on Siebenthaler!” one customer hiding in the back of the store told emergency dispatchers, adding that an ambulance was needed.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, witnesses told investigators that the masked man tried to pull the gun trigger but his gun may have malfunctioned or not been loaded.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Streck said he was conscious at the hospital, but they were working to learn more about his injuries.

TRENDING STORIES:

Streck could not guess what the masked man’s motivations might have been.

“We believe he is an individual that has been dealt with at the sheriff’s office before, who is usually uncooperative,” Streck said.

As shown on News Center 7 at 6:00, people who showed up at the store to shop were surprised by what was happening, as were workers.

“I hate to hear it, you know, especially these days with everything that going on,” Adam Gambrell said.

The store was closed for most of the day while investigators were collecting evidence and conducting interviews. It re-opened shortly before 4 p.m.

1 of 37