Court documents reveal new information about an incident last month in which a Harris Teeter security guard is accused of shooting a suspected shoplifter, yet the grocery store chain itself has released few details about the incident.
According to the Durham Police Department, security guard Abellard Pierre, 35, shot Leander Williams, 33, on Oct. 11 at the Harris Teeter located at 202 N.C. 54. Police told The 9th Street Journal that Pierre approached Williams, and then there was “a physical altercation” before Pierre shot him.
An arrest warrant provides additional details, stating that Williams was attempting to steal $100 worth of laundry detergent, and that he used pepper spray on Pierre. Williams was charged with attempted common law robbery and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
Pierre, the security guard, was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
According to police, emergency medical personnel transported both men to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Both men were given bonds of $10,000, which they have since posted.
Online court records show Williams has a criminal record dating back to 2014. Last year, he was charged with stealing a gun, and also previously faced drug-related charges.
According to policy on Harris Teeter’s website, the company does not publicly disclose detailed, standardized corporate training policies for in-house security guards, but does often contract third-party security firms for high-traffic stores.
The 9th Street Journal reached out to Danna Robinson, Director of Corporate Affairs and Customer Relations for Harris Teeter, asking which security company Pierre worked for, if that company is being used across Harris Teeter stores, and if the incident prompted any changes in policy.
Robinson did not answer those questions, instead saying that “questions should be directed to the Durham Police Department.”
Both cases are set to be resolved in court later this month. Pierre’s case is scheduled for Nov. 12 in Durham County District Court, and Williams’ hearing is Nov. 19.
Quinn Wherley
