Walgreens Employee Shoots Pregnant Accused Shoplifter After Being Maced In Face By Suspects

Nashville, TN – A pregnant shoplifter was shot by a Walgreens employee after the worker was sprayed in the face with mace during a confrontation about stolen merchandise, according to investigators.

The incident occurred at the Walgreens store on Gallatin Avenue in Nashville shortly before 8 p.m. on April 12, WSMV reported.

Metro Nashville police said another Walgreens employee alerted 21-year-old team leader Mitarius Boyd that two women were stealing items inside the store, so he began watching them.

Boyd said he saw the two suspects loading up a store cart and also stuffing items into a large bag, WSMV reported.

He grabbed his cell phone and began recording the suspects as they walked out of the store with the stolen goods and subsequently loaded them into the trunk of a car out in the parking lot, according to police.

Boyd said he walked over to the rear side of the suspect vehicle while the two women were placing the stolen items into the car, WSMV reported.

That’s when one of the women suddenly blasted him in the face with mace, Boyd told police.

The Walgreens worker said he was afraid for his life because he didn’t know if they were armed, so he pulled out his gun and began shooting in self-defense, according to police.

He ran back into the store and called 911 as the women got into the vehicle and fled the scene, WZTV reported.

Investigators said that one of the women involved in the incident, 34-year-old Travonsha Ferguson, was hit multiple times by Boyd’s gunfire.

Ferguson was also seven months pregnant.

Police said her alleged accomplice dumped her off at General Hospital and sped away, WSMV reported.

Ferguson was subsequently rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center by ambulance, where she remained in critical-but-stable condition on Thursday.

Medical personnel performed an emergency Cesarian section and delivered Ferguson’s child, WSMV reported.

The baby was not struck by gunfire and was listed in critical but stable condition on Thursday.

Investigators said Boyd has been cooperative with investigators, WSMV reported.

It is unclear whether he will face criminal charges.

No arrests were immediately made.

The investigation will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review once it is complete.