Macy's stabbing: Security guard killed in double stabbing at Philadelphia Macy's

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say an unarmed security guard was killed in a double stabbing Monday morning at a Philadelphia Macy's store.

Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford told reporters that the stabbing happened following a botched shoplifting attempt inside the store on the 1300 block of Market Street around 11 a.m.

Investigators believe the suspect was caught by security guards stealing hats, and handed over the stolen merchandise after a brief confrontation.

About 15 minutes later, investigators say the suspect returned to the store attacked two security guards, stabbing both of them with a knife. 

Authorities say a 30-year-old security guard died at Jefferson Hospital from a stab wound to the neck. The second victim, a 23-year-old, was treated for stab wounds to the face and arm.

Police said the suspect fled the store and was later captured by SEPTA police at the Somerset Station.

"Just a tragic situation, a few weeks before the holiday, these security officers are just doing their job, they're here to make sure that people can come to this location and shop in a safe manner," Stanford said.

Commissioner Stanford added that retail thefts are not uncommon at the store with more than 250 incidents of retail theft having already been reported this year. 

Police say a suspect attempting to steal hats from a Macy's attacked two security guards with a knife, fatally wounding one of them. 

"It's an ongoing situation and ongoing problem, not just for large chain stores like this, but in terms of businesses throughout the city," Stanford said. "It's not any less important as far as our chain of things to address as far as safety for this city, because you can see it's vey important in the fact that what starts out as a retail theft has ended in a homicide. 

There were initial reports of three victims, but police say there are two. The third person passed out at the scene but was also taken to the hospital to be checked out. 

Police have not yet identified the suspect or victim. 

Macy's was shut down for the rest of Monday, and remained closed Tuesday. However, law enforcement sources tell FOX 29's Jeff Cole that the store may reopen Wednesday with more police stationed inside.

Officials say retail thefts are up nationwide. In fact, November 13th of last month Upper Merion Police say a man and a woman stealing from the Macy's at King of Prussia Mall were stopped by loss prevention officers and that the male suspect flashed a gun at them.

In that incident, police say the two guards were not shot but suffered minor injuries during the struggle.