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The Pleasanton Police Department has confirmed the identities of the 26-year-old Home Depot employee who died after being shot on Tuesday while trying to stop a theft in progress as well as the two people arrested in connection with the case.
Pleasanton police Lt. Erik Silacci stated in a press release that Blake Mohs, a Tri-Valley resident and a loss prevention employee at the Home Depot located on Johnson Drive, was the victim who was shot after he intervened to stop an apparent shoplifter.
“We’re heartbroken over this senseless tragedy,” Home Depot spokesperson Beth Marlowe told the Weekly. “Blake was our associate and friend, and our hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew and loved him.”
According to police, Mohs was initially transported to a nearby hospital in the area but had later succumbed to his wounds.
“I am devastated by the loss of Blake Mohs in yesterday’s senseless shooting,” Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown said in a statement Wednesday morning. “Through his service to Tri-Valley organizations, Blake was a model for others. To have a life cut short is heartbreaking and infuriating. I’m joined by the City Council in offering our deepest condolences to Blake’s family, friends, loved ones, and to everyone impacted by this tragedy.”
“Blake was a well-known member of the community who helped keep customers and staff safe,” Silacci added. “He was involved in community youth programs and planned to be married in the summer. He is survived by his parents, brother and fiancee.”
Pleasanton police identified the suspected shooter as Benicia Knapps, 32, and her accomplice as David Guillory, 31.
Silacci alleged that detectives determined Mohs confronted Knapps while she attempted to steal merchandise from the store, she resisted and fired a gun at the employee before running to a getaway car driven by Guillory. According to police, Knapps’ child was also inside the vehicle as they fled the scene.
After the shooting, Pleasanton police notified surrounding law enforcement agencies of the description of the shooter’s vehicle. At around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office located the car near the 7000 block of Ney Avenue in Oakland and detained the suspects, according to Silacci.
A handgun was also recovered in a nearby intersection after the suspects fled from the scene, according to Silacci.
Police said that Knapps’ child was released to relatives after the two suspects were arrested.
According to the sheriff’s Inmate Locator, Guillory is currently being held at the Santa Rita Jail and his bail is set at $255,000. It states that he is facing four charges including obstruction of justice, child abuse, evading with disregard to safety and evading by going on the wrong side of the road. The locator did not show any information on Knapps as of time of publication.
This will only get worse as the vermin invade the safer areas of the Bay Area. If the state doesn’t begin to clamp down with no holds barred civil society is in peril. The women in the case should be held without any bail not $255,000!
Bill, I think unfortunately, you will find “The State” heading in the opposite direction. Already, in order for it to be an “actionable crime,” one needs to steal something of value more than $950.00. And also you have to see that both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties have District Attorneys who likely support this kind of nonsense. As they say, you get what you vote for. We can’t laugh when we see what’s going on in New York City and Chicago, when what we have here is identical in all respects.
I was surprised to see the accomplice get bail at all, and not be charged as an accessory to the murder.
Congratulations “progressive” California politicians, you have now succeeded in turning the last safe city in Alameda county, Pleasanton, into another crime infested Oakland. Your pro-criminal, anti law and order policies have even entered Pleasanton, where Oakland criminals and others are now flocking to commit crime sprees, knowing that DA Pamela Price will be soft on criminals, and ignore the law abiding victims. The wife of the security guard murdered protecting the channel 5 reporters recently had a press conference where she said prior DA Nancy O’Malley was in contact with her constantly and assured her she would prosecute the murderers of her husband to the full extent of the law, while new DA Pamela Price will not even return her phone calls and is now refusing to fully charge the murders. This kind of message was heard loud and clear in Oakland, as this criminal came to Pleasanton with a gun and murdered the security guard protecting Home Depot, knowing DA Pamela Price will also go soft on her.
It is time to recall DA Pamela Price. San Francisco voters had enough of “Progressive” DA Chase Bodin and recalled him. How many more murders have to occur in Alameda County before their voters come to their senses and recall DA Pamela Price?
Well said, Gentleman.
The problem with Price is that she’s injected her own venom by using race as an excuse for violent crime. A thug is a thug, I don’t care what color you are. But Price doesn’t see it that way. Instead, she uses systematic racism as a reason for not supporting gang enhancements, etc.
Things will only turn around if she is recalled.
Why would anyone be bringing a concealed handgun into Home Depot unless they had bad intent?
The irony….though the suspects are African American, the NRA members who support Open Carry/Concealed weaponsare just as responsible for these kinds of tragedies because of their blind allegiance to the 2nd Amendment and fervent opposition to more restrictive gun laws.
Perhaps it is time to install metal detectors at all places of retail business with customers required to check-in their firearms with store security prior to gaining entrance…in other words, apply the same security protocols that are used at court buildings and airports.