[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap] Walgreens security guard is facing a murder charge for the Dec. 2 shooting of Jonathan Hart in Hollywood, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said on Monday.
Hart, 21, was also known as Sky Young among locals in the Hollywood area. He was shot in an alleged shoplifting dispute by security guard Donald Vincent Ciota, at the Walgreens pharmacy at Sunset and Vine. The incident sparked anger among anti-police brutality activists and Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles.
Activists "occupied" the store earlier this month and called for a boycott of the pharmacy chain.
#BlackLivesMatter took over the #Walgreens on #SunsetAndVine in Hollywood where a security guard killed #SkyYoung #BoycottWalgreens #MassRallyForJustice #MassJusticeRally #BlackXMas @BLMLA @WP4BL @DocMellyMel pic.twitter.com/HHgR276b6o
— PMbeers (@PMbeers) December 24, 2018
Hart was described as gay and homeless by friends and associates. Witnesses said he had previously argued with the Ciota at the Walgreens before the argument and shooting. The county coroner's office said he was shot in the back of the neck.
"Bottom line is he was shot from behind, unarmed, leaving the store," Jasmyne Cannick, a local commentator, said on Monday after the D.A.'s announcement. "There's nothing at Walgreens worth anyone's life, I can tell you that."
Ciota was scheduled to be arraigned today. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 50 years behind bars.
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