A GameStop worker in Florida is facing manslaughter charges following an incident where he fatally shot a man accused of attempting to steal Pokémon cards valued at $600, according to an arrest affidavit. The incident occurred in Pembroke Pines, where local police responded to a shooting at the store around 8:14 p.m. on Tuesday. The victim was discovered in the passenger seat of a Ford F-150 in the parking lot and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The victim’s girlfriend, who was driving the vehicle, reported seeing her boyfriend fleeing the store with a gunshot wound. She initially attempted to drive away but quickly halted to dial 911. Following an extensive investigation, detectives determined that the store employee, Derrick J. Leonel Guerrero, allegedly witnessed a man shoplifting.
According to the affidavit, the suspected shoplifter began to run towards the exit, prompting Guerrero to draw a gun from his waistband and fire a single shot. The bullet struck the victim in the torso. The report emphasized that the victim did not threaten Guerrero or brandish any weapon during the incident.
The affidavit further detailed that the victim had taken two Pokémon Scarlet & Violet 151 Ultra-Premium Collections, each priced at $120, from behind the cash register counter before attempting to flee. Surveillance footage showed the man dropping the merchandise approximately 10 feet from the register and running towards the exit. Guerrero was not visible during the shooting in the footage, but was seen moments later walking with a gun in his right hand.
Guerrero was taken to the police station for questioning, but details of the interview have been redacted in the affidavit. He was later transported to the Broward County Jail, where he posted a $25,000 bond and was subsequently released.
Upon his release, Guerrero expressed remorse for the incident, stating, “I’m really sorry for the family. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen to the family. It wasn’t my intention,” as reported by local NBC affiliate WTVJ.
Police have stated that Guerrero had the gun for personal protection following a recent robbery. His LinkedIn profile indicates that he has been employed as an assistant store manager at GameStop since May.