Nia Reyes of Phoenix, Arizona was attempting to shoot a shoplifter, but instead accidentally struck an Ace Hardware store employee in the leg.  The employee was in pursuit of the shoplifter at the time of the incident. It is unclear why Ms. Reyes, age 45, believed it appropriate to use potentially lethal force on a shoplifter in the first place.

The store employee was treated at the hospital for injuries that were not considered life threatening.  Ms. Reyes was arrested and booked for aggravated assault and discharging a firearm within city limits.

“Many times, you’re better off just being a good witness,” a former assistant police chief told a reporter. “Anytime you use a weapon out there on the street, you may find yourself in a criminal court, or you may find yourself in a civil court and if you don’t have insurance to cover your actions you could ruin your entire life financially by getting involved in a situation like that.”

Source:

Rachel Cole, “Woman Arrested for Accidentally Shooting Ace Hardware Employee in Attempt to Stop Shoplifter,” 12 News (February 1, 2021).