MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — A department store security guard who was shot outside a Connecticut mall was wounded when he struggled with an alleged shoplifter who pulled a handgun on him, according to an arrest warrant affidavit released Monday.
The affidavit was released as Richard LaPlante was arraigned in court on attempted murder and other charges in connection with Friday’s shooting outside The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester. A judge kept the 30-year-old Windsor resident’s bail at $1 million.
Tirso Polanco, a 27-year-old loss prevention officer at the Macy’s store at the mall, was shot in the abdomen and remains hospitalized, police said.
According to the affidavit, LaPlante fled the mall after the shooting and took a transit bus home. Police said they were able to track and identify him through mall and bus security cameras.
LaPlante turned himself in to police Saturday. His next court date was set for Sept. 7.
His lawyer, Ronald Johnson, said after Monday’s court hearing that LaPlante “feels bad” about the shooting.
Johnson added, “We’re praying for the victim and hope that the victim is OK, and we’re praying for his family. And the most important thing is let the judicial process go through its process.”
