Blake Mohs: Home Depot worker fatally shot while trying to stop shoplifter from stealing phone charger
PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA: Home Depot employee Blake Mohs, 26, was shot dead while he was trying to stop a shoplifter from stealing a cell phone charger on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. In the investigation, officials found that Mohs “confronted a female shoplifter who resisted and shot him” shortly after 2 pm and got into a getaway car with a male suspect. The suspects, Benicia Knapps, 32, who is a licensed security guard with a criminal history involving theft, and David Guillory, 31, have been arrested and face several charges, including murder, robbery, child endangerment, and conspiracy.
Sharing the details, Pleasanton Police Department said in a news release, "Following a shooting that occurred at approximately 2.15 pm on Tuesday, April 18 inside Home Depot (6000 Johnson Drive), Pleasanton Police Department confirms the victim tragically died from his injuries. The victim is 26-year-old Blake Mohs who was a Home Depot loss prevention employee and Tri-Valley resident. During the investigation, detectives determined Mohs confronted a female shoplifter who resisted and shot him. The suspect, Benicia Knapps (32), ran to a getaway car driven by a male suspect, David Guillory (31). Knapps's two-year-old child was also in the vehicle. After they fled the scene, a handgun was recovered in a nearby intersection." Around 2.30 pm on the day of the attack, the two suspects were detained by Alameda County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and the child was released to relatives.
READ MORE
Who was Blake Mohs?
According to a news release, Mohs was "a well-known member of the community who helped keep customers and staff safe. He was involved in community youth programs and planned to be married in the summer. He is survived by his parents, brother, and fiancee."
Mohs and his fiancee Kasey Silligman, who got engaged on March 6, 2021, had plans to get married on August 12 of this year, reports KTVU. The two met while volunteering with the Scouts. "The reception was going to be at the camp where they met. We were so excited for the two of them. They truly loved each other," said Scott Rodgers, who knew Mohs for more than a decade.
Blake Mohs was awarded rank of Eagle Scout
Rodgers also told Mohs was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in 2014, the highest rank a Scout can get before turning 18.
David, a family friend who went to school with Mohs and lives next door to his parents, as per ABC7 News. He said, "Every time I've seen him at work, he had a real enthusiastic mood about him at work, like he wasn't just there to do his job, he was actually enjoying his work."
While Home Depot said in a statement, as reported by DailyMail, "We're heartbroken over this senseless tragedy. Blake was our associate and friend, and our hearts go out to his family and everyone who knew and loved him."
Commenting on it, Mayor Karla Brown said, "I am devastated by the loss of Mohs in yesterday’s senseless shooting. Through his service to Tri-Valley organizations, [Mohs] 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 [Mohs'] family, friends, loved ones, and to everyone impacted by this tragedy."
If you or anyone you know has information about this incident, please call Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5100.