Man arrested after shooting incident at Brandy Melville in Center City: police

PHILADELPHIA - An investigation is underway after police sources say a shooting occurred at Brandy Melville in Philadelphia’s Center City. 

What we know:

At around 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Philly police were called to Brandy Melville located on the 1500 block of Walnut Street for the report of a person with a weapon.

FOX 29’s Steve Keeley arrived at the scene where shoppers were seemingly emotional outside the store.

Police say a 41-year-old man attempted to steal items from the store. They say he went behind the counter and refused to follow commands to leave.

A physical altercation ensued between the suspect and a security guard.

Police say the security guard used pepper spray on the 41-year-old, but that did not stop him. 

Believing the offender was reaching for a weapon, police say the guard then discharged his firearm at the man. The suspect was not hit by the gunfire and managed to flee the scene.

Officers later located the offender at 15th and Spruce streets where he was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital for exposure to pepper spray.

Police found one spent 9mm casing and a weapon at the scene. 

The security guard is certified to carry a firearm, police confirm. 

Police sources tell Keeley that a security guard fired shots in a struggle with a suspect accused of trying to rob the store. 

The store was closed temporarily due to the investigation.

What they're saying:

Keeley spoke with Mark Rodriguez, the security guard who fired the warning shot during the incident. 

What's next:

This is an active and ongoing investigation by Central Detectives.