In Pembroke Pines, Florida, a GameStop employee has been charged with manslaughter after fatally shooting a fleeing shoplifter. According to police reports, Derrick Guerrero, 33, was working at the GameStop store when a man grabbed five boxes of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet “ultra-premium” trading cards, worth $120 each, and attempted to flee. Guerrero pulled out a handgun and shot the shoplifter in the side as he was leaving the store. The shoplifter dropped the cards and ran outside, where a woman called the police. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The police stated that store security cameras did not show the shoplifter posing any threat to Guerrero or displaying any weapons. However, under Florida’s “stand your ground” law, deadly force can be used if there is a threat of death or great bodily harm. The law, however, does not permit the use of deadly force to protect property. Manslaughter charges have been filed against Guerrero for the unplanned killing in the heat of the moment.
Guerrero is currently being held at the Broward County Jail on a $25,000 bail. There is no information available regarding whether he has an attorney. GameStop has not responded to requests for comments.
