MANCHESTER, Conn. — The man suspected of shooting a security guard at the Macy's Men's store at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester Friday turned himself in to police.
Richard “Rico” LaPlante was identified as the suspect and turned himself in Saturday night. The Windsor man faces attempted murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, and carrying a pistol without a permit charges. He's being held on a one million dollar bond and is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
FOX61 has confirmed the loss prevention officer who was shot at the Buckland Hills Mall on Friday is 27 year old Tirso Polanco.
Police said the victim, a 27-year-old man, remains hospitalized after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen. His condition is unknown.
The shooting happened around noon after the security guard attempted to stop LaPlante, 30, from shoplifting. The mall went on lockdown for an hour and a half as police searched for the suspect. K9 units were brought on scene.
Shoppers of the mall say it's unfortunate this happened at the Manchester center.
"I was surprised and concerned because it’s a shopping mall. People come with kids, families and you don’t want to have to face that with your own kids," Carlos Vivar of East Hartford said. "I mean definitely that’s the right thing to do at that point but it doesn’t justify the fact that he just shot someone. Someone who is just trying to do his own job."
Cordell Deas of New Haven says he's glad LaPlante turned himself in as it shows he "has a conscience."
Some tell FOX61 they fear the mall is becoming less safe. Ann Marie and Michael Martel of Vernon say they try to pay attention to their surroundings when out shopping.
"We were very upset because we like to come up here once in a while and now I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem safe anymore," Ann Marie said. "I hope that they prosecute him and they don’t just let him out."
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the lead investigator Detective Claire Hearn at (860) 645-5549 or the Manchester Police Department at (860) 645-5500.
Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newsteam@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.