Clerk who shot suspected shoplifter arrested for investigation of murder

The Spanaway convenience store clerk who shot and killed a suspected shoplifter Friday night has been arrested for investigation of a second-degree murder.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said Friday the clerk claimed it was self-defense, but detectives say video shows otherwise.

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According to Pierce County Detective Ed Troyer, the shoplifter was shot twice in the back as he tried to leave the store.

"He confronted the shoplifter at gunpoint. The shoplifter put his hands in the air and, as he backed up a little bit, the clerk put his gun back in the holster and punched him,” described Detective Ed Troyer, who watched the video. “The suspect tried to run from the store. There was a little bit of wrestling. The suspect broke free and was at the doorway trying to get out of the store when the clerk shot him twice, hitting him in the back, killing him."

Min Kim, 30, of Auburn was booked into the Pierce County Jail on Monday afternoon.

The Pierce County medical examiner identified the man killed as Jakeel Mason, 21, of Tacoma.

The shooting happened at the Pacific Quick Stop in Spanaway. The clerk's wife was shot by an armed robber on February 18th. Investigators say she fired at the armed robber, who then shot back. One bullet hit her in the abdomen.

She was treated and later released from the hospital. She is recovering and was not charged with a crime.

Investigators say the shooting at the Pacific Quick Stop on Friday was different.

"That's not self-defense. You don't get to shoot shoplifters. You call 911. You don't physically attack them, you don't pull guns on them and you don't shoot them in the back when they're running out of the store," said Pierce County Detective Ed Troyer.

Troyer said Jakeel Mason was shoplifting cigarettes when he was killed.

Min Kim is scheduled for a bail hearing on Tuesday.

Cox Media Group