Nashville Store Employee Shoots Pregnant Woman Accused of Shoplifting; Claims Self Defense

Photo Credit: Google Maps/East Nashville

Based on my basic knowledge of the law and retail theft protocol, this is definitely NOT self defense. I could be wrong.

I have a few questions.

First of all, why would the employee follow the shoplifter(s) OUTSIDE of the store? By law the theft occurred once the shoplifters exited the building with the stolen merchandise. I can understand the employee attempting to get a license plate number or car description of the shoppers but other than that he should have let the authorities do their job. There was no need to engage the suspects any further. Having worked a retail job before, I am almost sure this is not proper protocol.

Some will say the woman should not be shoplifting while 7 months pregnant. I agree but shoplifting is not a violent crime. Nobody will die from shoplifting (unless they are shot by a semi automatic pistol).

Take the poll below and let me know if you think the employee should be fired? Arrested? Arrested and fired? Or was this self defense?

WKRN Nashville — A Walgreens employee was notified by another employee that two women were stealing items from the store. The employee told police he saw the women putting items into a store cart and into a large over-the-shoulder bag. The employee said he began recording the women with his cell phone and followed them as they left the store without paying for the items.

According to investigators, the employee said as the women began putting items into the trunk of their car, he made his way to the back of the car. That’s when one of the women reportedly pulled a can of mace and began spraying at him.

The employee then pulled his semi-automatic pistol and began shooting, saying he was afraid and did not know if either of the women were armed. The women then fled in their car while the employee went back into the store and called 911.

Investigators said one of the suspected shoplifters, a 34-year-old woman, was seven months pregnant and had been shot multiple times by the employee. The woman she was with dropped her off at General Hospital and drove away. An ambulance then took her to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.