GhLinks Media
A Pembroke Pines GameStop employee named Derrick Guerrero has been charged with manslaughter after shooting a fleeing shoplifter.
Derrick Guerrero, 33, was working at the video game store in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on Tuesday night when a man grabbed five boxes of trading cards and ran out the door.
Guerrero fired one shot, hitting the man in the side.
The shoplifter died later at a hospital.
Police said the shoplifter never threatened Guerrero or displayed any weapons.
Guerrero is being held on $25,000 bail.
In court Wednesday, a defense attorney said Guerrero had been honorably discharged after serving in the Marines for 10 years, and was moving up in the ranks at GameStop while taking care of his family.
“He’s an assistant manager. He resides in Pembroke Pines with his wife and two daughters,” the attorney said.
Police said Guerrero had been the victim in September of a robbery at the GameStop and had bought the gun for protection.
Derrick Guerrero speaks after the incident
Derrick Guerrero was released on bond Thursday, more than a day after the shooting at the store claimed the man’s life.
“I’m really sorry for the family. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen to the family. It wasn’t my intention,” Guerrero told reporters.
With his head in his hands, Guerrero repeatedly apologized as he waited to be picked up from jail.
“I’m extremely sorry for the family,” he said.
