The tragic shooting of a Home Depot employee in Pleasanton, California, highlights the growing concern over runaway crime in the Golden State. The employee, identified as Blake Mohs, was attempting to stop a theft in progress when he was fatally shot. This violent incident underscores the escalating issue of crime and shoplifting in California, causing a mass exodus of residents to other states.
On Tuesday, authorities responded to calls around 2:15 p.m. of a man bleeding inside the Home Depot store on Johnson Drive. Witnesses reported that Mohs attempted to stop a theft in progress and was shot during the struggle. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle following the shooting but were later apprehended by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office near the 7000 block of Ney Avenue in Oakland.
Well, since progressives believe this shoplifting is social justice protest, then this killing had to be justifiable homicide.
Home Depot worker fatally shot in California was trying to stop shoplifting, witnesses say https://t.co/x74eW4dkaa #FoxNews— DanielCChamberlain (@DanCham03014042) April 19, 2023
In a statement, Home Depot expressed its heartbreak over the senseless tragedy. “Blake was our associate and friend, and our hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew and loved him.”
Sadly, this is not an isolated event. Another brazen theft at a Home Depot in October led to the death of an 83-year-old employee shoved to the ground by the suspect. The growing frequency of such incidents in California is alarming.
The state’s lax attitude toward shoplifting is one reason behind the increasing crime rate. In 2014, California passed Proposition 47, which reduced certain nonviolent property and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Consequently, property theft valued below $950 is now classified as a misdemeanor, often resulting in no arrest or a mere slap on the wrist.
The consequences of Proposition 47 have been severe, with shoplifting incidents surging across the state. The lenient stance on theft has emboldened criminals, leading to more brazen acts of shoplifting and placing the safety of employees and customers at risk. This environment of rising crime has contributed to a mass exodus from the state, with more and more people opting to leave California for safer, less crime-ridden states.
Residents in the Pleasanton area are particularly shocked by the shooting, as the community is not known for such incidents. “I’m scared right now. I can never imagine that in Pleasanton, this kind of thing can happen,” said local resident Subho Mukherjee.
Despite the increase in crime and the dangers employees face, some security experts believe workers should avoid engaging with shoplifters altogether. Michael Leininger, a retired police officer and security consultant, advised employees to “observe and report” rather than try to stop thefts, as their safety is paramount.
As California grapples with the tragic death of Blake Mohs, it is time to reconsider its approach to crime and shoplifting. A policy change is necessary to protect not only the citizens and businesses of the state but also the very fabric of California’s communities.
