The California woman who is accused of shooting and killing a Home Depot worker for trying to stop her from taking something said that her gun accidentally went off.
According to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, Benicia Knapps is accused of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon for the death of Blake Mohs.
Mohs worked as a loss prevention officer in the store.
David Guillory (31), Knapp’s boyfriend, was allegedly the getaway driver following the fatal run-in. He faces charges of accessory after the event and evading law enforcement. Knapps as well as Guillory are facing charges of child endangerment.
The shooting took place in Pleasanton on Tuesday, a suburban area of San Francisco.
According to authorities, Knapps was confronted and arrested by Mohs as well as another employee after leaving the store without paying. Mohs and Knapps got into a struggle, but Knapps managed to get the items back.
Knapps allegedly got a gun from her purse. Mohs and the other Home Depot employee ran back into the store and another struggle between him and Knapps occurred.
Authorities said that she shot him in the chest. Knapps recovered a stolen item before fleeing in a vehicle that was waiting, according to police. Her 2-year-old daughter was in the car.
Knapps, a licensed security officer, has a criminal record involving theft. Records show this, according to the news outlet. Guillory is currently facing a criminal case in Berkeley where he’s accused of stealing uniforms and jerseys worth $1,300 from a soccer shop.
