An investigation is underway after a Visalia Police officer shoots and kills a suspected shoplifter at Sequoia Mall. Police say the 29-year old man lunged at the officer with a knife, which forced him to fire his weapon at the armed man. What's interesting is the suspect was actually in a wheelchair during most of the incident.
It happened around 4:30 pm Saturday while the mall was busy with holiday shoppers. Police say the man had wheeled his way outside of Sears when security guards approached him for trying to steal merchandise. The suspect then pulled a knife on the guards, then quickly scooted away through the parking lot.
Visalia Police were called in to search for him. Officers spotted him going inside nearby Marshalls. He used a back door to try and escape and that's where he was confronted by an officer. The suspect reportedly stood up out of his chair and lunged at the officer with his knife. The two men got into a struggle, then fearing for his life, the cop shot the suspect. He was taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center where he later died. The officer received some minor injuries, but is ok.
Police say they are familiar with this suspect. He's been arrested before, but police would not elaborate on his criminal history. Investigators did recover the suspect's knife. However, it's unclear if he had any stolen merchandise on him.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Department is also now involved with investigating this case.
