Thug allegedly stabs to death Macy's security guard — just minutes after guard caught him trying to steal hats and let him go

A suspect with a lengthy criminal history allegedly stabbed to death a Philadelphia Macy's security guard on Monday — just minutes after the guard caught him trying to steal hats and let him go.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

What are the details?

Police sources told WPVI-TV store security stopped 30-year-old Tyrone Tunnell from trying to steal several hats.

The security guard who stopped Tunnell — 27-year-old Eric Harrison, according to family members — retrieved the hats and sent Tunnell on his way, the station said.

But WPVI said Tunnell came back about 15 minutes later and fatally stabbed Harrison.

Eric HarrisonImage source: YouTube screenshot

Another guard whom police identified as a 23-year-old man intervened and suffered wounds to his face and arm, the station said.

Tunnell soon was arrested at the Somerset train station in the Kensington section of the city, WPVI said, adding that police said witnesses positively identified him.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office on Tuesday approved a murder charge against the suspect, along with other charges, the station said.

WPVI said authorities haven't officially named the charged individual.

Court documents indicate Tunnell has been arrested more than a dozen times for retail theft, robbery, and drug offenses across the region, including in Philadelphia as well as suburban Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, the station said.

Victim's mother speaks out

Harrison's mother, Dawn Fobbs, told WPVI in a separate story that her son was her best friend.

"Just why? Why my baby?" Fobbs wondered in an interview with the station.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

"It couldn't happen to a more innocent soul," she added to WPVI. "Just at work doing your job, you know, his second job at that."

The station said Harrison first worked overnight at the post office then went to Macy's where he'd worked as a security guard for two years.

Harrison's mother also works retail as a store manager, WPVI said, adding that she understands certain risks are involved — but that this crime was senseless.

"Over some merchandise, you came in and took my baby's life," Fobbs told the station. "He will never have children, he will never get married. All because of some hats."

WPVI added that she described her son as a Frankford High School graduate and a Philly kid through and through who leaves behind three younger sisters.

"Just pray for strength for my family because that's what we need," Fobbs noted the station, adding that she appreciates her son's fellow security guard who stepped in and tried to help him.

Security guard killed at Philadelphia Macy’s was an ‘innocent soul,’ mother saysyoutu.be

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