TRUMBULL COUNTY Security guard fires shot at teen

The youth denied having a knife inside the store.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 17-year-old says he wasn't fearful of the security guard pointing a gun at him -- until the weapon went off and the bullet grazed his head.
Speaking on the front lawn of his York Street Northwest home, Eddie Robertson, 17, said he was in shock when the guard opened fire.
"It was something I never thought would happen," the Warren G. Harding High School junior said. "I'm still in shock."
Robertson has a small wound on the right side of his head. He was treated at a local hospital.
Detective Jeff Cole said he is investigating the matter and talking to all involved. No charges have been filed.
The store contracts with REMCO Security out of Boardman for security officers.
Richard Clautti of REMCO said the guard working at Sparkle has been with the company for a year.
"We have had no problems with him; he is very levelheaded," Clautti said.
Robertson and his sister, Monieka Robertson, 21, went to Sparkle Market, 2788 W. Market St., around 5:30 p.m. Monday to buy food for a Labor Day picnic.
Told to leave store
"The guard saw me in the store and said I wasn't allowed in there," Robertson said. "I didn't want to argue with him so I left and went out to the car. I was sitting in the car and the guard told me to get out of the car, so I did and I sat on the hood."
Sparkle Market officials did not return numerous telephone calls seeking comments as to why the guard wanted Robertson out of the store or why Robertson was not allowed in the store.
Roberston said the guard made comments about shooting him.
"I saw the gun and saw him pointing it at me; he was about 10 feet away; I don't know what I was thinking but I sure didn't think he'd shoot me," Robertson said.
After the first shot was fired, Robertson fell to the ground and then began to run. The guard fired a second shot and Robertson ran.
"I ran behind the store and climbed the fence," Robertson said. "There was a woman in a car who told me to be careful because she just heard gunfire. I told her I got grazed with a bullet and she took me to her house. I called my mom from there."
Sister's statement
Monieka Robertson said when she left the store the guard told her that he had the right to shoot her brother in the chest.
"He told me my brother had a knife, but he didn't have a knife," Monieka Robertson said. "He also said that he was just shooting in the air and missed my brother."
Robertson also denied having a knife.
"They just went to the store to buy groceries," said Sterling McPherson, Robertson's grandfather.
sinkovich@vindy.com