Security officer accused of murder for shooting a thief on display

A Walgreens security officer was charged with murder after apparently shooting in the back of a thief on the display while the man had run away from the store, prosecutors said.

Donald Vincent Ciota II, 28, has been charged with murder, the Los Angeles County Attorney's Office said Monday in a press release.

Ciota reportedly confronted Jonathan Hart, 21, in the Hollywood, California store. On Dec. 2, after accusing Hart of stealing, prosecutors said in a press release. The two men had a physical altercation and Ciota pulled out a pistol and is "alleged to have shot Hart mortally in the back while he was fleeing," the statement said.

Hart, who would have been homeless, According to a statement from his family's attorney, Carl Douglas, was shot in the back of the neck.

"We are comforted and encouraged by the fact that Attorney General Jackie Lacey has shown leadership in bringing charges of murder against Donald Vincent Ciota II, stemming from the tragic death of Jonathon Hart. A black, homosexual and homeless man whose life was tragically taken too soon, "Douglas said at a press conference Monday, adding that the Hart family was considering filing a lawsuit against Walgreens.

A door – the company's spokesman said in a statement Tuesday, he no longer works with the security company Ciota.

"We have cooperated with the authorities and we will continue to support their prosecution in this case", according to the "We are fully committed to providing a safe environment for our employees, patients and customers in the communities we serve."

The well-known lawyer Mark Geragos, who represents Ciota, has criticized the prosecution.

"This is not a murder case," he told NBC News in a statement. Mr. Ciota defended the customers, the store and himself. "

Geragos says that a police report says that Hart entered the Walgreens with two other men and that they were" stealing the store "when Ciota confronted them.

When Mr. Ciota tried to stop them, one of the thieves hit him in the face. A shot was fired, "he said.

Ciota is detained on bail of $ 3 million .If he is convicted of murder, he faces 50 years in prison for life.