A bulletproof vest saved a Yorkdale Mall security guard after he was shot in the chest during a confrontation with two robbery suspects yesterday.
The provinces’ Special Investigation Unit was called to the scene after one of the arrested men, a 17-year-old, complained about an injury on arrival at 32 Division. Frank Phillips of the SIU confirmed the teen was shot during the altercation at the mall.
“He has a gun shot wound to the leg,” Phillips said.
He said it’s yet to be determined if the bullet came from the suspect’s small-calibre gun or the officer’s firearm. Security was notified just before 1 p.m. after the suspects had an altercation with a customer in the mall parking lot, police said.
The suspects, 15 and 17, fled toward the subway, where they were intercepted by a police officer and several security guards. As a guard tried to grab the younger suspect, the gun in his pocket went off, striking the guard in the chest.
“He was wearing a bulletproof jacket, which saved his life,” said Const. Tony Vella.
The guard was transported to hospital, but later released, police said.
