CHARLOTTE NC JUNE 5 2012 — A private security guard was shot and killed trying to break up a fight outside an East Charlotte restaurant. It happened around closing time, early Tuesday morning at El Paisano restaurant on Albemarle Road. Richard Snyder, 50, died on scene.
“He was just trying to disperse everyone and make sure they got off the property. Just dissolve the disturbance. Unfortunately, he was shot and died,” said CMPD Captain Chuck Henson.
It’s another example of what some are calling a disturbing trend nationally, attacks on security personnel.
“What we’re finding is a lot more security officers are getting involved. They’re being asked to do a lot more,” said CEO of Police Officer International Rick McCann.
McCann says more businesses are hiring their own security.
“A lot of companies, like restaurants and bars, hire their own in-house staff,” said McCann.
“Basically they’re there to keep the peace, break up fights, but they’re not as trained as a
uniformed guard might have been from a security agency.”
According to Private Officer International, 37,000 security guards/bouncers were attacked in 2011. There were 13,700 injuries and at least 114 security guards were killed on the job.
McCann would like to see more officers and bouncers get better training. “The training
requirements needs to be stepped up in most cases,” he said.
CMPD is looking for two men who drove off in a green, two-door truck, possibly a Chevy.
