Bystander opens fire on shoplifter at Michigan Home Depot

The shooting happened in the store’s parking lot about 2 p.m., when Home Depot security was chasing a shoplifter in his 40s who jumped into a waiting dark SUV, said Lt. Jill McDonnell, an Auburn Hills police spokeswoman. Police posted security camera footage on their Facebook page, prompting comments like, “this police department seems to be amazingly confused on which crime actually matters”.

“It’s my worst nightmare as a [concealed pistol license] instructor,” Doreen Hankins told the Detroit Free Press. The female shooter has a license to carry a concealed weapon. “And I don’t see that a shoplifter at Home Depot fills any of those criteria”, she added. She was cooperative with police as they investigated the scene, authorities said in a Tuesday statement. The vehicle escaped though one of the bullets may have flattened a back tire, McDonnell said.

The woman cooperated with police and is not being held as the investigation continues. “Even if it were law enforcement, they wouldn’t do that”.

According to police, the gun owner witnessed a loss prevention officer attempting to apprehend the suspects before shooting at the vehicle as the two suspects fled the stores parking lot, according to a statement from the department. The 63-year-old was on his way inside a bank in Warren when a robber tried getting away.

Based on publicly available information, there’s no indication that the fleeing man, who allegedly stole power tools and welding equipment, presented a sufficient threat to the public to justify the use of deadly force. Even concealed carry permit holders are feeling as though they’re getting the third degree on today’s issues involving firearms.