Police in Philadelphia arrested a shoplifting suspect who they say returned to a Macy’s minutes after he was busted stealing hats to stab a security guard in the neck, killing him in broad daylight in front of holiday shoppers.
The incident began around 10:45 a.m. Monday when the suspect, 30-year-old Tyrone Garcell Tunnell, allegedly tried to steal several hats from the store in downtown Philadelphia. Two security guards confronted Tunnell and confiscated the hats and allowed the shoplifter to leave after a confrontation, said Interim Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Stanford.
About 15 minutes later, Tunnell returned to the store armed with a knife, went straight for the security guard, Eric Harrison, and stabbed him in the neck, according to prosecutors. Another security guard, 23, intervened and also was slashed in the face and arm. Paramedics took Harrison, 27, to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Tunnell ran away, SEPTA Transit Police quickly arrested him after tracking his movements through surveillance video, said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Police recovered the knife used in the murder, according to Krasner. Shoppers identified Tunnell as the man who stabbed the security guards. Tunnell is facing murder and other charges.
Macy’s security guard Eric Harrison, inset, was stabbed to death by a shoplifter at a store in Philadelphia on Nov. 4, 2023. The suspect, Tyrone Tunnell, in handcuffs, allegedly attacked Harrison around 15 minutes after being caught stealing hats from the store. (Inset: GoFundMe; Arrest: screengrab via YouTube/WPVI)
“Like the scores of people who visit and shop in Philadelphia during what is for many a joyful time of year, I am shocked and heartbroken by the murder of a department store employee and violent assault of another, all for doing their jobs in support of the safety and peace of co-workers and customers,” Krasner said in a statement.
The surviving security guard is listed in stable condition.
Harrison’s mother told the Philadelphia Inquirer that her son worked two jobs: One overnight at the U.S. Postal Service sorting mail and the second as a security guard at Macy’s during the day where he’s worked for over two years. He was saving up money to get an apartment of his own.
“I’m still in shock,” Dawn Harrison told the Inquirer. “Truly in shock.”
Retail theft has been an “ongoing problem” at the Macy’s with more than 250 reports this year alone, Stanford said. Stanford called the incident a tragedy.
“Right here just a few weeks before the holidays, these security officers are just doing their job” he told reporters during a news conference. “They’re here to make sure people can come to this location and shop in a safe manner.”
In a statement, Macy’s said it was “heartbroken” over Harrison’s death and referred further questions to Philadelphia police.
Court records show Tunnell has been convicted numerous times for shoplifting and drug-related charges. He’s on probation for a shoplifting charge from last year, according to records.
The Harrison family has set up a GoFundMe to pay for funeral expenses. It’s raised over $40,000 as of Wednesday.
“He was kind, giving, and loyal. He always smiled, was a man of few words, was an observer, loved to make jokes and laugh and enjoyed a small circle of true friends. He did all the right things and never dishonored his parents,” they wrote.
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