Macy’s breaks silence on Halloween Day shooting, security measures

After a group of three individuals, including the now booked 53-year-old Edward Sanchez, attempted to round up large amounts of “expensive” clothes at the Macy’s attached to North Star Mall Tuesday, October 31, a female security guard for the business tried to stop the alleged crime that was unfolding. However, the exchange ended with the 29-year-old security guard being shot in the leg and three suspects at large for several days.

“We are saddened about the incident that took place at Macy’s North Star Mall in San Antonio,” a Macy’s spokesperson told MySA. “The safety of our customers and our colleagues is our top priority. We are working closely with the local police department on this investigation and direct all comments about the case to them.”

According to early information from the San Antonio Police Department, the security guard managed to make her way to secure room at Macy’s after the shooting. She was taken to a local hospital after the incident, and sources say she is now in stable condition and recovering well.

SAPD has held details or descriptions of the two individuals believed to have been with Sanchez which remain at large, but Macy’s offered some insight into their next steps after the shooting to ensure a safe shopping environment for customers.

“Macy’s deploys visible and plain-clothed asset protection personnel in our stores and coordinates closely with local and national law enforcement agencies in assessing risk and response,” a Macy’s spokesperson said. “We are testing the use of advanced technology, reporting, and tools as wells as optimizing our asset protection staff to focus on high-risk areas to ensure a secure shopping experience.”

MySA reached out to several stores around Macy’s to learn more about the incident, but store employees and owners were reluctant to speak on the matter. Macy’s notably is separately owned and operated from the rest of North Star Mall, so mall officials were unable to divulge much about the incident or the security measures in place. However, officials with North Star did provide comment to MySA.

“We are sad this incident, which was directly related to retail theft apprehension, occurred at our property,” North Star Mall officials said. “Unfortunately, we are not immune to the increase in property crime that has been occurring in the community. We will continue to evaluate our security protocols to maintain North Star as a safe and beloved place for the community. Since this incident occurred in Macy’s, we will have to direct you to Macy’s and San Antonio Police Department for further information.”

In the wake of the seeming lack of transparency and increased level of crime in the area — this is the third shooting this year to take place at North Star Mall, including one death — city officials have suggested a conversation will be underway about how to better keep residents in the are safe.