A Philadelphia man stabbed a security guard to death while injuring another during a retail theft at a Macy's store that turned violent and is now the focus of a criminal investigation.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the store said that the establishment would temporarily remain closed as they work with law enforcement authorities on the investigation. It added that the company is heartbroken to hear about the incident that resulted in the death of one employee during the Monday attack.
Macy's Store Stabbing
Macy's did not specify how long the store would be closed and deferred any further comment to law enforcement officials. The two security guards involved in the incident were rushed to Jefferson Hospital.
One of the victims, who was identified as a 30-year-old male, was stabbed in the neck and was later pronounced dead due to the severity of his wounds. The second victim, identified as a 23-year-old male, is currently being treated for injuries after being stabbed in the neck and face but was said to be in stable condition, as per Fox News.
Law enforcement authorities said that the stabbing occurred just after 11:00 a.m. on Monday and the suspect reportedly boarded a SEPTA train after the attack. SEPTA police later arrested the individual at the Somerset Station.
Police officers at the crime scene said the incident started around 15 minutes before they were called. A man allegedly tried to steal some hats from the Macy's store and security guards confronted him. They retrieved the merchandise and set the individual free. That same man is accused of coming back and attacking the guard who confronted him.
In a statement, Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stafford said that when the suspect returned to the store, he immediately went straight toward one of the security guards. He then redirects his attention to the other one and runs directly to him with a knife already exposed and proceeds to stab him.
Philadelphia Man Arrested
Stanford said the incident was a tragedy and came a few weeks before the holiday as the security guards were doing their jobs. According to NBC Philadelphia, he said that the victims had to make sure that people could come to the store and shop safely and not worry about themselves.
The stabbing incident caused delays on SEPTA trains between the 15th and 8th Street stations after the attacker fled there. The crime comes as the Center City Macy's has experienced one of the highest levels of retail theft in Philadelphia.
The incident comes after another stabbing in Queens that resulted in the death of five people and the injury of two police officers. The attack came on Sunday and involved a man who killed four family members, set the house on fire, and slipped out.
The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Courtney Gordon and was confronted by two law enforcement personnel while trying to flee the scene of the crime. He then pulled out a knife and attacked the officers, who responded by firing their guns. The suspect was brought to the hospital and later pronounced dead, said the New York Times.
