Crime & Safety
Employee Uses Gun In Attempt To Stop Shoplifter: Police
Witnesses told Sandy Springs police the man shouted "give it back" to the woman before firing a pistol outside Kroger.
SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- A package store employee has been charged with reckless conduct after he allegedly fired a gun towards a woman accused of stealing a bottle of liquor from the establishment.
Norcross resident Bryan Bao Luu, 34, was charged with reckless conduct following the shooting, which took place in the parking lot at 2090 Dunwoody Club Drive.
Officers responded to the scene around 8:20 p.m. Oct. 20 and met with Luu and several witnesses who recounted the incident to police.
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Witnesses say they saw the alleged shooter, later identified as Luu, yell something to the effect, "You better give it back!" to a woman, according to an incident report released by Sandy Springs police.
Another witness told police he heard gunshots and saw the shooter pointing the firearm downward, but "in the direction" of the woman, the report states.
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According to the report, Luu told police he was in the store when the woman came inside, picked up a bottle of liquor and placed the item in her purse.
Luu told police he "stood in front of the exit and confronted her by telling her to put it down when she began to run for the door," the report goes on to state.
"Luu stated that at this point, he felt scared and he ran to the counter, which was to his right, and retrieved a pistol," the officer writes. "Luu followed the woman outside the store where he fired several shots in her direction in an attempt to get her to stop."
The woman, the report notes, fled the scene in a red SUV.
Police placed Luu under arrest and charged him with reckless conduct. Luu's actions, police say, show he "consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his act would cause harm or endanger the safety of the many."
Officers also note several businesses in the area were open at the time and had customers coming and going.
"This disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation," the officer said.
Image via Shutterstock
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