16-year-old shot by security guard dies (Nov. 4, 2002)

The Dallas Morning News ^ | November 4, 2002 | By IAN McCANN / The Dallas Morning News

[MeekOneGOP]

16-year-old shot by security guard dies

Teen theft suspect dies; security guard charged

11/04/2002

By IAN McCANN / The Dallas Morning News

A 16-year-old who witnesses said was shoplifting died Saturday night, several hours after being shot in the head by a shopping center security guard.

Leshard Wilson was shot about 2:15 p.m. in a parking lot behind a shopping center as he and two other boys ran from the security guard. Dallas police Sgt. Gary Kirkpatrick said Sunday that the two other boys fled from the shopping center in the 1500 block of South Buckner Boulevard and have not been identified. Leshard died about 8:50 p.m. at Baylor University Medical Center.

WFAA-TV

Police take security guard Bernie Pointer Jr., right, into custody.

The private guard, Bennie Franklin Pointer Jr., 50, of Dallas, was charged Saturday with aggravated assault, but the charge was changed to murder on Sunday after Leshard died. Mr. Pointer remained in custody at Lew Sterrett Justice Center on Sunday, awaiting arraignment on the murder charge.

Mr. Pointer's family declined to comment.

Family members and friends gathered Sunday at Leshard's home, less than a mile from the shopping center. They declined to comment on the incident but said that funeral plans were still pending.

A representative of Mr. Pointer's employer, North American Security Group, said Sunday that the company would make a statement Monday afternoon.

Police said that the three boys were thought to have been shoplifting at the Family Dollar store on Buckner, just north of Lake June Road. Sgt. Kirkpatrick said that there was no evidence behind the store to show that Leshard had stolen anything.

Although state law allows security guards to use deadly force to protect property, Sgt. Kirkpatrick said that Mr. Pointer appeared to have overstepped his authority as he fired the single shot that hit Leshard.

E-mail imccann@dallasnews.com

---

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/110402dnmetshooting.13730add.html

[RGSpincich]

The kid probably got away with nothing more than a couple of candy bars

It happens in mass proportions and amounts to much more than an inconvenience for owners of the businesses that get hit. Giving petty thieves an understanding nod will only encourage them to escalate their endeavors. Shooting them may be a little too severe but, depending on how this is handled, it will deter a few petty thieves.

[SouthernFreebird]

the only way to stop this little marauders is to kill a few of them and the rest will get the message

come on now!!! this was'nt armed robbery.... this was a 16 yr old punk shoplifting. Both of my boys shoplifted one was 9 and one was 6 should they have been killed for it? how many people here have done it just to see if you could when you were younger? geez we don't live in a frikkin arab country where ever crime is punishable by death!!

This boy had no reason to think he could be shot/killed for swiping someting at the 5&dime.... arrested Yes, but not killed.

[mountaineer]

Dollar Stores have no real "big ticket" items, mostly just cosmetics, cleaning supplies, candy, cheap clothing, kitchy "Made in China" knick-nacks and the like. I was trying to say that whatever this boy stole probably wasn't worth a lot of money.

[HiJinx]

Although the kid probably wasn't any of the good things you mention, you're right on target. His criminal activity negates anything good he might have been involved in and his death is tragic in that regard.

Your other point, that unchecked crime will only get worse, is evident throughout this country. It needs to stop, and will only do so when someone steps up to the plate and actually stops criminals in their tracks. I know, mixed metaphor, but hey! It works!

[wideawake]

Thank you. The little bastard knew he was taking risks when he decided to rip off other people's property. He was asking for trouble and he got it.

I hope the guard gets off too.

[ladylib]

In my area, we have off-duty cops patrol shopping centers.

[FreePaul]

What a waste of a life.

Good chance his life was wasted before the shooting.

[AdA$tra]

I want to hear the rest of the story. I have wonder if the kid made a threatening move. Otherwise, there should be dead bodies all over this and other mall parking lots. I doubt it was the guard's first day on the job.

[cajun-jack]

re #22 yes, when i was about 12 or so, i lifted a $0.98 "storm king" lighter from the only drug store in town...got caught and before my dad got thru whipping my butt, i wished the guy that owned the drug store had shot me. the lighter was 98 cents with 2 cents sales tax..this was in early 60's in a very small town in NE La. I had to pick up pecans for 5 cents per pound till i earned the dollar to pay my dad back for the dollar he paid the pharmacist..and dad kept the lighter...talk about learning a lesson!!!! if it ain't mine, i will not touch it....if it is mine, you had better not touch it!! ask me and if i can do without it, i will give it to you or at least share it with you (depending on what "it" is) steal it from me and i don't care if it is a used paper towel, i will kill you over it.

[FreePaul]

If it had been an off duty COP there would be no question that the kid "reached for something", "made a threatening move" or "had a shiny object in his hand". There are more possibilities but these are ones I remember from recent incidents.

[Northpaw]

Although state law allows security guards to use deadly force to protect property, Sgt. Kirkpatrick said that Mr. Pointer appeared to have overstepped his authority as he fired the single shot that hit Leshard.

Does the property have to reach a specific dollar level? I'm with you. These 'kids' that get away with stealing at the 'dollar' store, move up to automobiles and home burlaries in no time.

[AdA$tra]

HA HA HA HA HA HA. After reading the guys first post on the linked page, I was sure he was an street gang crime squad guy or something. Sounds like he is a real poser and possibly a threat to society......I'm still laughing though.

[Movemout]

Stop them in the store or let them go unless you have a positive ID. Then refer the matter to the cops. Quite basic actually.

Shooting this punk while he was running away was an error of the first magnitude. I'm not sure a rent-a-cop in a Dollar Store merits being armed with a handgun in anyhow. A billy club seems to be more appropriate.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Shoplifting at the family dollar? what the h*ll did this guard think he'd gotten away with that was worth killing him for?

That's right. The rules of engagement I learned 30 years ago in the Marine Corps would have precluded deadly force at all in this incident. Six reasons you can load your weapon and apply deadly force:

1) To prevent serious crimes against others such as rape, murder or arson

2)self defense.

3)Defense of government property vital to national security.

4) Defense of government property not vital to national security but inherently dangerous to others, including weapons and ammunition.

5) In connection with aprehension and escape of a suspect involved in any of the above situations.

6) Lawful order of a superior (which must, in the individual Marine's judgment encompass one of the above situations).

You can't just blow people away.

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

Shoplifting at the family dollar? what the h*ll did this guard think he'd gotten away with that was worth killing him for?

That's right. The rules of engagement I learned 30 years ago in the Marine Corps would have precluded deadly force at all in this incident. Six reasons you can load your weapon and apply deadly force:

To prevent serious crimes against others such as rape, murder or arson

self defense.

Defense of government property vital to national security.

Defense of government property not vital to national security but inherently dangerous to others, including weapons and ammunition.

In connection with aprehension and escape of a suspect involved in any of the above situations.

Lawful order of a superior (which must, in the individual Marine's judgment encompass one of the above situations).

[JimRed]

Good point. The kid probably got away with nothing more than a couple of candy bars. What a waste of a life.


Candy bars at 16. Cars at 20. Banks at 25.

[KneelBeforeZod]

Poor Jesse hiJackson and Al Sharpton. It must be a tragedy to them that the shooter was black. The victim is secondary to them. If even that high on the list.

[oust the louse]

"This boy had no reason to think he could be shot/killed for swiping someting at the 5&dime.... arrested Yes, but not killed."

Dittos here Freebird.That 16 year old was loved by someone,who I'm sure,would give any monies won in a lawsuit(IE:Lottery as some of you here on this thread posted)to have this life back in thier arms!Arrested yes,killed-NO!

[HELLRAISER II]

I don't either, but if I put the shoe on the other foot (my foot) and somebody was stealing my stuff. Hell I might shoot them to, but like you said i'll withold judgement until the whole story comes out.

[HELLRAISER II]

Bottom line is that a kid is dead and a man is ruined, probably over a small item. I agree what a waste.