Fight in New York Target Leads to Elevator Shaft Fall

A store security guard and an alleged teenage shoplifter were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries December 8 after the pair fell down an elevator shaft of a Target in the Bronx, NY, following a fight, Yahoo and other outlets have reported. First responders were called to the third floor of the store in Melrose, not far from Yankee Stadium. The 29-year-old victim, a loss prevention officer for Target, was fighting with the 16-year-old victim — who had allegedly been caught shoplifting — when they rammed into the closed elevator door, police sources with knowledge of the case said. The elevator door opened to an empty shaft and the two fell inside. Firefighters found one of the victims sprawled out on top of the elevator, which was below the open doors, FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief John Sorrocco said at a press conference. The second victim managed to fall between the elevator and a wall, landing in the shaft pit three stories below. Officials reported that the second victim was underneath the elevator, which had to be secured. Firefighters put together a rope system that allowed them to pull the victim out of the shaft. It took an hour to bring him out and put him in an ambulance, Sorrocco said. It was not immediately disclosed which victim landed in the pit. The employee was taken to Lincoln Hospital, and the teen was taken to Harlem Hospital. Before the fight, the teen had been caught repeatedly sneaking into the Target after he was told to leave, apparently because he had been shoplifting, police said. When the loss prevention officer escorted the teen out of the building, the struggle began. No charges were immediately filed.