Steve Jones, Allied Universal CEO, released a media statement on security amidst recent rise of mass shootings and said: “Security guards are unsung heroes who run to danger instead of away from it.
“It takes a brave, selfless person to move in danger’s direction. To protect others before protecting themselves.
“When danger arises, they are first on the scene – even before first responders.”
The statement came right after the Texas mall shooting on Saturday, May 6th, during which Christian LaCour, 20, a security professional working with Allied Universal, was tragically killed on duty, along with seven others.
In the statement, Jones said: “Last May, one of our security professionals lost his life when a gunman opened fire in a supermarket in Buffalo, New York. He was a 30-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department.
“This weekend, one of our security professionals was tragically killed in the line of duty while protecting shoppers and employees in Allen, Texas. This young man suffered a senseless death in sacrifice to others.
“All too often, the media reports negative stories about security guards as part of an agenda that I struggle to understand. They don’t report on the heroic actions of security guards. The lives saved. The plots thwarted. The crimes deterred.
“In just the last few months, our security guards have administered life-saving medical aid, extinguished fires, foiled human trafficking, prevented suicides and removed firearms from public spaces.
“Security guards aren’t perfect. They’re human like all of us. Focusing solely on their faults and flaws is unbalanced and is a disservice to the importance of public safety.
“This is a call to re-examine how society views and portrays the millions of men and women who work every day to make the world safer.
“To security guards reading this: There is no greater purpose than safeguarding customers, communities and people. You serve a great purpose. I’m proud of you. You are valued. Thank you.”
“He wanted us to feel safe”
Andria Gaither, assistant manager at the mall’s Tommy Hilfiger, said she was devastated to learn the day after running for her life when shots rang out that one of the dead was Christian LaCour, a security guard who previously worked at the clothing store and often stopped in to chat, ABC7 reported.
Just a few nights earlier, she had called LaCour when a customer wanted in after hours. He came and asked the man to leave, and then offered a security escort to her and two teenage employees.
“He wanted us to feel safe,” Gaither said.
“I’m just in shock,” she added. “He was very young, very sweet, came in all the time to visit with us.”
What to know about Texas mall shooting
Eight people were killed and seven wounded by Mauricio Garcia, 33, a gunman dressed in black tactical gear who got out of his car at a Texas mall and opened fire in the parking lot — before being shot dead himself by a police officer at the scene, officials said.
The deadly mass shooting unfolded on May 6 at the Allen Premium Outlets — about 30 minutes north of Dallas — when the gunman got out of a vehicle and began firing, according to police and footage from the parking lot.
Six victims of the shooter were found dead at the scene, while nine others were transported to area hospitals for treatment, two of which later died from their wounds, Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said.
The first of the victims who were publicly identified was Christian LaCour, 20, a security guard at the mall who was working when Garcia shot him.
The Korean Consulate in Dallas confirmed that Cho Kyu Song, 37, Kang Shin Young, 35 and their youngest boy, James, were also fatally shot, The Dallas Morning News reported Monday.
Officials also confirmed that young sisters Daniela and Sofia Mendoza were killed in the bloodbath, while their mother was critically wounded.
(Image: Christian LaCour, Facebook)
