UNION GAP, WA – In a shocking turn of events, a man is on the run after allegedly shooting a security officer at a Washington state mall on Monday. The Union Gap Police Department was alerted to the incident at Valley Mall around 6:14 p.m.
The victim, a loss prevention officer at Macy’s, was reportedly shot following a confrontation with the suspect, who had allegedly shoplifted from the store. Police Chief Greg Cobb detailed that the suspect had fled from Macy’s into the mall’s main area, where the officer confronted him.
In the ensuing struggle, the suspect drew a handgun, firing two shots at the officer before fleeing through the mall’s north exits. The officer was rushed to a hospital, with their condition yet to be disclosed. The items the suspect allegedly stole have not been revealed by the police.
The police have released surveillance images of the suspect, warning the public that he is armed and dangerous. They are appealing to anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts to come forward.
While no other injuries have been reported, the investigation is still ongoing. Macy’s has expressed its sorrow over the incident, affirming its commitment to customer and employee safety and its cooperation with the local police.
This incident follows a similar occurrence earlier this month at a Macy’s store in Philadelphia, where two security guards were stabbed, one fatally, after a reported shoplifting incident.