31-year-old Tyrone Tunnell of Philadelphia pleaded guilty to several charges, including murder, for fatally stabbing a security guard and wounding another at a Center City Macy's location. The incident began when Tunnell attempted to shoplift several hats from the Macy's on 13^th and Market Street. Tunnell's attempted theft was thwarted by Security Guard Ed Harrison and his partner. The three men had an altercation, after which Tunnell left the store.

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Suspect Returned to Macy's to Confront Security

Philadelphia police said that Tunnell returned to the store about 15 minutes after the altercation with the security guards. According to witnesses, Tunnell was shouting threats and searching for the guards who prevented his theft attempt. When he encountered Harrison, Tunnell pulled out a switchblade and stabbed Harrison in the neck. Tunnell also stabbed another security guard who tried to stop the attack.

Both guards were taken to the hospital, but Harrison's wounds proved to be fatal, and he was later pronounced dead. The second guard was left in critical but stable condition from stab wounds to his face and arms. Tunnell fled the scene and boarded a SEPTA train at the 13^th Street Station. However, his movements, including an attempt to toss a knife onto the train tracks, were captured on SEPTA security cameras.

Suspect Apprehended and Pleads Guilty

Police apprehended Tunnell at the Somerset Station in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Tunnell admitted returning to the store to confront the guards because he was angry about how they treated him, but he denied having used a knife. However, the authorities recovered both the knife Tunnell threw on the train tracks and another at the scene of the crime.

Tunnell has a long criminal history with prior convictions for retail theft, robbery, and drug-related crimes. He would eventually plead guilty to several felonies in connection with the stabbing at Macy's, including third-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a weapon, and evidence tampering.

Criminal Defense for Murder and Other Serious Felonies

Murder is the most severe offense in the Pennsylvania criminal code. A murder conviction could lead to several decades in jail or possibly the death penalty. That means your life is on the line if you're arrested for this crime. No matter what the evidence, you still have the right to counsel, and you deserve the best possible defense against the charges. Call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.