Woman who fatally shot Pleasanton Home Depot employee pleads no contest to second degree murder

A woman who shot and killed a Home Depot security guard in Pleasanton last year has cut a plea deal with prosecutors, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday. A deal was also reached with her accomplice.

Benicia Knapps, 33, pleaded no contest to a second-degree murder charge with a gun enhancement, according to prosecutors. Co-defendant David Guillory, 32, pleaded no contest to child abuse, accessory to a robbery and evading an officer.

Home Depot employee Blake Mohs, 26, was working at the Pleasanton store as a loss prevention officer on April 18, 2023 when he confronted Knapps over something she stole, prosecutors said.

Knapps resisted Mohs and shot him, then ran to a getaway vehicle being driven by Guillory, which also contained Knapps’ child.

About 15 minutes later in the 7000 block of Ney Avenue in Oakland, both suspects were located by sheriff’s deputies who had been given a “be on the lookout” vehicle description by eyewitnesses.

Mohs was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

As part of their plea deals, Knapps will serve 19 years to life in state prison, while Guillory will receive seven years and four months in state prison, prosecutors said. Their official sentencing date is June 6.

“Blake Mohs was murdered for nothing more than doing his job,” DA Pamela Price said in a statement Tuesday evening. “While nothing can be done to undo this senseless tragedy, I hope that holding these two defendants accountable for taking Blake’s life will be an important step in the lifetime healing journey for his family and friends, and they will be able to move beyond their grief and trauma.”