Suspect Charged In Buckland Hills Mall Shooting: Manchester Police

MANCHESTER, CT — The suspect in the shooting of a Macy's Loss Prevention Officer at the Shoppes at Buckland Hill turned himself into police late Saturday, police said.

Richard LaPlante, 30, also known as "Rico," of Windsor, surrendered to police. LaPlante was identified as the suspect in the Friday mall shooting at 194 Buckland Hills Dr., police said.

Police said the victim remains hospitalized after being shot in the stomach. LaPlante is charged with criminal attempt/murder, first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and carrying a pistol without a permit.

LaPlante is currently being held on a $1 million bond. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the lead investigator, Det. Claire Hearn at (860) 645-5549 or the Manchester Police Department at (860) 645-5500.

MANCHESTER, CT — Police released photos of a "suspect," who is being sought in connection with a shooting that occurred in the Macy's parking lot.

Around noon Friday, police responded to a report of a person shot at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills, 194 Buckland Hills Dr.

The victim was shot in the stomach in the parking lot outside the Macy's Men's entrance, police said. The victim was found to have sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach and was identified as a 27-year-old man, police said.

He was taken to Hartford Hospital, which is where he remains currently, police said. The victim is a Loss Prevention Officer with Macy's and the preliminary information is that when the shooting occurred, he was attempting to confront the suspect, who had just committed a larceny, police said.

Police said if you have any information concerning the whereabouts of the person pictured below, call lead investigator Det. Claire Hearn at 860-645-5500.

image via Manchester police

Original story: MANCHESTER, CT — There was a heavy police presence at the Buckland Hills mall in Manchester Friday afternoon as state and Manchester police investigated a shooting incident.

Authorities said a security guard suffered a gunshot wound in a shoplifting incident that involved four people. The security guard was taken to Hartford Hospital in an unknown condition.

Police had closed off a section of the parking lot on the back side of the mall, but shoppers were free to come and go elsewhere as authorities insisted there was no threat to the public. Two teens who were in the mall at the time said they were aware of the shooting because of texts from a relative who was a first responder, but they added most of the mall was business as usual.

A visitor from Tennessee staying at an adjacent hotel said there was never a threat to the building.

Police did not say whether any arrests had been made.

In a statement obtained by WFSB 3 TV, Macy's said “We are deeply saddened about the incident that took place today at Macy’s Pavilions at Buckland Hills." The Macy's representative said they are working with law enforcement.

The loss prevention employee is 27-years-old, and he was shot in the stomach, WFSB 3 TV reported.