On Sunday night, a WalMart loss prevention security officer in Lilburn, Georgia, was shot and killed while in pursuit of and armed shoplifter. Jaseramie Ferguson, 25, a WalMart loss prevention officer had been unarmed, along with another employee, when they tried to apprehend a suspected shoplifter who was trying to flee the store with a shopping cart loaded down with three flat screen televisions.
The two confronted the suspect outside the Lawrenceville Highway WalMart in Lilburn when the shoplifter began to violently resist. That was when the thief pulled a handgun and shot and killed Ferguson. Police state that the two workers had tried to stop him from fleeing but the suspect seemed determine to flee the scene with the televisions.
The incident happened shortly after 9PM on Sunday. Lilburn police are being assisted in the ongoing investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The law enforcement authorities have released a grainy photo of the suspect that was from the store security cameras. Law enforcement said the suspect was driving a sedan that appeared to be dark red or red. The suspect is also black and bald.The suspect left behind the televisions as he fled the scene. The police investigators said they have recovered a shell casing. Ferguson had worked for WalMart for only seven months.
The WalMart store issued a statement on Monday that said, ” We are deeply saddened by the senseless and the tragic loss of our friend and colleague last night. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the Ferguson family at this difficult time. We will continue to support law enforcement in their ongoing investigation.”
PHOTO SOURCE: ABC News