Wal-Mart guard stabbed after chase

A Wal-Mart security guard was stabbed Wednesday trying to chase down a suspected shoplifter, according to Colorado Springs police.

The guard, whom police declined to identify, was taken to Memorial Hospital and underwent surgery for what police termed a “nonlife threatening” stab wound.

Randy Gardner, 41, was arrested later on suspicion of firstdegree assault and aggravated robbery. He was being held at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center late Wednesday.

The stabbing happened about 1:38 p.m. Wednesday at the Wal-Mart at 3212 E. Platte Avenue.

According to police, the security guard saw Gardner shoplifting and confronted him. The two struggled and the guard was stabbed at least once, according to police.

Officers aided by a police dog tracked the suspect down.

The Wal-Mart on Platte Avenue has been the scene of two shootings in recent years:

In 2005, a manager was shot twice in the stomach after confronting suspects stealing purses in the store. The manager recovered and the thieves were caught and sent to prison for the shooting.

In 2004, a Colorado Springs man was shot to death in the store after a confrontation with an armed shopper. The killer was caught and sent to prison for 34 years.