Holly MatkinPhoenix, AZ – A Family Dollar worker is behind bars on an attempted murder charge after shooting a “serial shoplifter” who punched him in the face during a confrontation in the store.
The shoplifter had allegedly targeted the business on multiple occasions in the past, KTVK reported.
Family Dollar employee, 24-year-old Kevin Ignacio Salas Madrid, said he was working at the store near Indian School Road and 68th Avenue at about 7:50 p.m. on March 22 when he spotted the repeat offender coming into the business, according to police.
Madrid said he immediately confronted the man and told him to leave, at which point the man allegedly punched him in the face, KTVK reported.
The hit knocked Madrid’s eyeglasses to the floor.
That’s when Madrid pulled out his handgun and shot the alleged shoplifter at least 10 times, according to police.
Investigators said the employee fired additional rounds at the man after he fell to the ground, KTVK reported.
A fellow employee told investigators Madrid fired 15 rounds during the incident.
Officers responded to the scene and located the alleged shoplifter suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the store, KTVK reported.
He was rushed to a local hospital and was listed in critical condition.
Madrid, who identified himself to police as being the shooter, had a gun lying beside him when officers arrived at the scene, investigators said.
He allegedly told his coworker that he was unable to control his anger after the alleged shoplifter hit him, KTVK reported.
Police said Madrid confessed to the shooting and that he described his actions as “egregious.”
“Kevin stated he had made the worst decision of his life,” officers wrote in the probable cause affidavit, according to FOX News. “Kevin explained he was struck and decided to shoot but looking back, he realized it was egregious.”
Madrid was booked into jail on an attempted second-degree murder charge, KSAZ reported.
