MANCHESTER, Conn. — The Windsor man accused of shooting a mall security guard after shoplifting at a department store in Manchester appeared before a judge on Monday as more details into the shooting were uncovered.
Richard LaPlante, 30, turned himself in Saturday night in connection with the shooting outside the Macy’s store at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester on Friday.
The lifelong Connecticut resident has a few past minor convictions, including one for larceny, but never before has he had a felony on his record – before now.
“This was what was likely a minor larceny that turned into him facing possibly a felony,” remarked the state’s attorney in the courtroom.
The shooting happened around noon after the security guard attempted to stop LaPlante from shoplifting.
“The whole mall is shut down. I don’t know, it's just crazy man. With all the stuff going on. I didn’t feel like it would be so close to home,” said Brandon, a man who told FOX61 that his friends work at the Buckland Hills Mall.
LaPlante allegedly had a confrontation with 27-year-old loss prevention officer Tirso Polanco over stolen merchandise from Macy’s. It spilled into the parking lot where LaPlante allegedly shot Polanco at point blank range in the stomach.
“Most experienced defense attorneys are not going to articulate the facts of the case,” LaPlante’s defense attorney Ronald Johnson told FOX61 after his client’s arraignment. “The most important thing is that we are praying for the victim. We hope the victim is okay.”
According to the arrest warrant, Polanco and a second loss prevention officer approached LaPlante, who allegedly pulled out a small silver handgun. Polanco and the suspect struggled over the firearm and police said LaPlante pressed the weapon into the officer’s abdomen and fired.
The warrant said several of Polanco’s internal organs were damaged and will require several surgeries. He remains in critical condition.
When FOX61 asked Johnson if LaPlante has any remorse or regret he responded: “Absolutely, absolutely.”
The mall went on lockdown for an hour and a half as police searched for the suspect. K9 units were brought to the scene.
The warrant details that LaPlante fled toward the Fairfield Inn and tossed his gun in the dumpster.
“We're not going to comment on the facts. I think it’s premature to talk about that,” said Johnson.
Manchester police said surveillance pictures of LaPlante from the mall match the description of a man who boarded a CT Transit bus Friday morning on East Wolcott Ave in Windsor. LaPlante lives about a mile from that location.
Inside LaPlante’s home, police said they discovered the one-of-a-kind basketball jersey that he was wearing.
LaPlante eventually turned himself in. His attorney argued that his bond should be reduced.
The judge noted that he only turned himself in after he was wanted with his pictures posted everywhere. The judge noted the seriousness of the charges and set the bond at $1 million.
LaPlante will be back in court next in Hartford on Sept. 7th.
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