EAST ST. LOUIS, IL (KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
A 42 year old security guard at the East St. Louis Schnucks grocery store was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon, with his own gun, by a man who was allegedly caught shoplifting. The suspect is in custody thanks to an officer who, hours later, found out he might be laid off due to budget cuts. Illinois State Police say Schnucks employees caught the man shoplifting around 2:20 Tuesday afternoon. Security Guard Wayne Groom was detaining him near the back of the store, when the suspect managed to get Groom's gun from him.
Police say the man fired the gun at Groom, shooting him and killing him. The suspect ran from the scene, but was captured by an East St. Louis police officer. That officer was told at a meeting just hours later his job was likely going to be eliminated as the city tries to cut $2 million from the budget.
Groom was not an employee of Schnucks. He worked for Hamilton Security, a private contractor. Mark Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Security, said late Tuesday night Groom was just a "really good guy". He has two adult children and lives in Smithton, Illinois.
Hamilton plans to release more information at a news conference Wednesday morning.
The store at 25th and State Street is the only Schnucks in East St. Louis, and it is consistently busy. Shoppers knew Groom, and those who found out about his death by stopping by the store and finding it closed, were in shock.
"I think it was a senseless killing," said Carl Connors, who said he spoke to Groom on a regular basis. "Ridiculous."
Customer Bob Ellington couldn't believe the news. "He's very nice. When you see him he speaks. That's pitiful," he said.
The suspect is not being named, but is being held on suspicion of murder.
Schnucks remained closed Tuesday night, but was expected to open sometime Wednesday morning.
Police say the man fired the gun at Groom, shooting him and killing him. The suspect ran from the scene, but was captured by an East St. Louis police officer. That officer was told at a meeting just hours later his job was likely going to be eliminated as the city tries to cut $2 million from the budget.
Groom was not an employee of Schnucks. He worked for Hamilton Security, a private contractor. Mark Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Security, said late Tuesday night Groom was just a "really good guy". He has two adult children and lives in Smithton, Illinois.
Hamilton plans to release more information at a news conference Wednesday morning.
The store at 25th and State Street is the only Schnucks in East St. Louis, and it is consistently busy. Shoppers knew Groom, and those who found out about his death by stopping by the store and finding it closed, were in shock.
"I think it was a senseless killing," said Carl Connors, who said he spoke to Groom on a regular basis. "Ridiculous."
Customer Bob Ellington couldn't believe the news. "He's very nice. When you see him he speaks. That's pitiful," he said.
The suspect is not being named, but is being held on suspicion of murder.
Schnucks remained closed Tuesday night, but was expected to open sometime Wednesday morning.
