Home Depot Shooting Suspects Had Kid In The Getaway Car: Cops

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton police have released the name of the Home Depot employee who was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon while attempting to stop a theft in progress, as well as the names of the two people suspected of shooting him.

The victim has been identified as 26-year-old Blake Mohs, a Home Depot loss prevention employee and Tri-Valley resident. Mohs was reportedly a “well-known” member of the community who was going to be married in the summer. He was involved in community youth programs, including as a volunteer for the Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts.

Mohs was shot Tuesday afternoon at around 2:15 p.m., according to a statement from the Pleasanton Police Department released that evening. Witnesses told police that he was attempting to stop a theft in progress, and was shot. Emergency crews arrived to find him bleeding in the store, and performed life-saving measures on him before transporting him to Eden Hospital. Police confirmed his death later Tuesday night.

He is survived by his parents, brother, and fiancée, according to Pleasanton police.

A coworker told KTVU that Blake was a “great guy who was just trying to do his job for the store.”

“I am devastated by the loss of Blake Mohs in yesterday’s senseless shooting,” Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown said in a statement. “Through his service to Tri-Valley organizations, Blake was a model for others. To have a life cut short is heartbreaking and infuriating. I’m joined by the City Council in offering our deepest condolences to Blake’s family, friends, loved ones, and to everyone impacted by this tragedy.”

“We are heartbroken over the senseless tragedy,” Home Depot said in a statement Wednesday morning. “Blake was our associate and friend, and our hearts go out to his family and everyone knew and loved him.”

The two suspects have been identified as Benicia Knapps, 32, and David Guillory, 31.

Police say Mohs confronted Knapps while she was shoplifting, and she resisted and shot him. She then fled the scene and escaped in a car driven by suspect Guillory. Police say their child was in the car. After they fled the scene, a handgun was recovered in a nearby intersection.

The suspects escaped in a red Nissan Pathfinder and drove 90 mph on 580, according to police radio traffic obtained by ABC-7. The chase ended on Ney Avenue in East Oakland after an Alameda County Sheriff’s Department plane was able to spot the car.

Sheriff’s deputies detained two suspects at the 7000 block of Ney Avenue in Oakland, Pleasanton police said.

The child has been released to relatives, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5100.

A Home Depot employee confirmed to Patch that the store is open Wednesday with regular hours.