The GameStop assistant manager who fatally shot a 21-year-old Florida Memorial University sophomore he suspected was shoplifting wants forgiveness from the young man’s family. The family members of the deceased say they want justice.
A split-second decision has forever changed retired Marine Derrick Guerrero’s life. On Tuesday, Oct. 17, while on his shift at the popular video game store in Pembroke Pines, Florida, the 33-year-old suspected someone was stealing from the store.
The store worker confronted the person, which led to the two fighting.
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As the suspect, who has now been identified by his family as Chadrick Coats, ran out of the store with $500 worth of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Ultra-Premium Collection trading cards, police say Guerrero pulled his firearm from his waistband and fired it in the student’s direction. The store employee shot one bullet, wounding Coats severely in his torso.
“At no time did the victim threaten Guerrero or display any type of weapon,” police said in a release on Facebook, adding, “The victim was transported to a nearby hospital where he died as a result of his injuries.”
Pembroke Pines Police Department was called to the scene by Coats’ girlfriend. Guerrero was arrested and charged with manslaughter. The worker believed he was protecting the store. While Florida is a “stand your ground” state, the law does not allow for someone to use deadly force simply to protect property.
Watch video of Guerrero’s plea for forgiveness.
GameStop clerk expresses remorse in fatal shooting of man suspected of shoplifting pic.twitter.com/QGxmGuqn6u
— News (@Just20366402) October 20, 2023
The assistant manager posted a $25,000 bond on Thursday, Oct. 19, telling NBC Miami, “I’m really sorry for the family. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen to the family. It wasn’t my intention.”
Reports said the man was so overwhelmed all he could do, as he waited for his ride to take him home to his wife and two daughters, was place his head in his hands and repeat, “I’m extremely sorry for the family.”
Before this incident, Guerrero served 10 years in the Marine Corps. While in the military, he achieved the rank of sergeant. According to his legal team, he received an honorable discharge and took a job at GameStop to support his family.
The police explained that Guerrero had obtained a gun because he had been robbed at the store a month earlier. He intended to protect himself from potential future robberies, and he reacted hastily, believing that Coats’ theft justified the use of the firearm.
GameStop has yet to make a public statement regarding the shooting.
