Security guard shot at downtown Los Angeles Target remains ‘intubated and sedated’ in ICU, fiancée says 

Three weeks after being shot at a Target store in downtown Los Angeles, a security guard is still in the intensive care unit fighting for his life, his fiancée says. 

Just before 9 p.m. on Dec. 30, the security guard, only identified as Will, was trying to stop a shoplifting suspect at the Target store located in the FigAt7th shopping center when he and another guard were struck by gunfire, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.  

Will was rushed to the hospital in critical condition while the other guard was hospitalized in fair condition. A mall spokesperson later confirmed to KTLA that the incident involved guards from Target and not FigAt7th or Brookfield employees. 

Now, nearly a month after the tragic incident, he remains in critical condition after the violent attack that occurred the night before New Year’s Eve, his fiancée Lauren told KTLA. 

Described as “a dedicated security guard, adoring girl dad and talented musician who brings light into every room he walks into,” Will was shot multiple times, including through his femoral artery, Lauren said. She credits his survival to the swift actions of first responders and heroic medical efforts. 

“After arriving at the hospital without a pulse and enduring multiple cardiac arrests during surgery, Will remains hospitalized, intubated and sedated,” she stated. “His journey to recovery is expected to be long, arduous and financially challenging.” 

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family alleviate the costs that come with recovering from the shooting, including medical bills, rehabilitation and temporary housing for his family who relocated from Las Vegas to provide support. 

A link to donate can be found here. 

Police arrested a suspect – later identified as 25-year-old Jabril Andrew Metoyer – after an hourslong standoff the day after the shooting.

Metoyer has since been charged with three counts of attempted murder, four counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office announced on Jan. 3. 

If convicted as charged, he faces life in state prison.