Theft suspect shot by Home Depot security guard in San Carlos

Home Depot guard shoots alleged shoplifter after fight

Police in San Carlos say that an alleged shoplifter was wounded after being shot by a security guard that he had attacked with a baton.

SAN CARLOS, Calif. - A 26-year-old shoplifting suspect was shot in a Home Depot in San Carlos on Monday, after a confrontation with employees who tried to stop him, San Mateo County sheriff’s officials said.

It happened around 10 p.m. at the Home Depot on Old County Road.

Investigators said employees, including the store’s security guard, confronted the suspect who's now been identified as Jonathan Mackey of San Carlos.

A physical altercation broke out, and the suspect managed to get a hold of the security guard’s collapsible baton.

"The situation escalated when Mackey used the baton to strike the security guard in the face and head, subsequently hurling it through a glass window near the store's entrance," sheriff’s officials said.

That’s when the security guard, who was also armed with a gun, fired two rounds at the suspect, with at least one striking Mackey, according to investigators.

They also said that it was at that time a sheriff’s deputy, who was assigned to the San Carlos area, heard the shots and rushed to the scene.

"The deputy was able to quickly and safely detain and arrest Mackey while facilitating medical care for him and the injured security guard," officials said.

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The suspect and the security guard were brought to the hospital to be treated for what investigators described as "non-life threatening injuries."

Mackey faces charges of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. He has since been released from the hospital and booked into San Mateo County jail. Court records show Mackey has a history of arrests and prior convictions for petty theft.

KTVU reached out to Home Depot, but the retail chain declined to provide comment, saying it was referring all questions to law enforcement officials.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office asked anyone with information on the case to contact deputies at 650-363-4911 or leave an anonymous tip at 1-800-547-2700.

Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan