PHOENIX — A man was shot after a "confrontation" with convenience store security in north Phoenix, a representative with the Phoenix Police Department said.
Officers were called to a QuikTrip near I-17 and Cactus Road around 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday for reports of a shooting.
Police found the man with multiple gunshot wounds, and first responders took him to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses at the scene said that the man had been arguing with a security guard at the store, who then drew their weapon and fired at the man.
"They got into it," said Josh, who witnessed the shooting. "They started arguing back and forth, I don't know what they were arguing about, but the guy was adjusting his pants and then the security guard shot him."
Pablo Sanchez was at a nearby business when he heard the gunfire.
"All I heard was boom boom boom," said Sanchez. "There was more as I kept going. I started walking toward where I heard the man screaming and I see the security guard still going up to him and shooting him, as the man was already on the ground, after the four shots already went off."
The security guard is a third-party contractor employed by Lionheart Security.
The company's CEO, Bill Herzog, told 12News via phone, "We uphold the highest standards in training and ensuring guards are well prepared. Despite all the best training, the incident did not go as we would have liked. It's always a sad day when things don't go as planned."
Herzog said the security guard has ample experience and dismissed the idea that his employee shot the man in the back while he was on the ground.
"That's not what we saw on the security video," he told 12News.
QuickTrip spokesperson Aisha Jefferson-Smith told 12News they were aware of the incident and are working with authorities. She said the company is unaware of any previous incidents with the guard.
Investigators are working to learn more about what led up to the shooting at this time. Police have not disclosed the identities of the man or the guard involved in the shooting.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12News for more updates.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12News YouTube playlist here.
Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.