Duaine Hamilton, 81, was killed by two men attempting to steal television sets in a Columbia, South Carolina, Sears
An 81-year-old Sears guard was killed by two men who were allegedly stealing televisions in South Carolina.
Duaine Hamilton, 81, attempted to stop two men from stealing two 49-inch TVs from the store when they shoved him down.
Hamilton, an Air Force veteran, tried to stand in their way to stop them when they knocked him to the ground on August 23. Hamilton hit is head on the concrete in the fall.
The suspects ran from the store, according to deputies. Hamilton was taken to the hospital and put on life support, but he passed away last Saturday.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott called them both ‘punks’ who decided stealing was more important than a man’s life.
Jeffrey Simmons, 58, is jailed on murder and strong arm robbery charges, and 40-year-old Jason Randolph is wanted on similar charges.
Both will be charged with murder.
Lott gave a press conference Wednesday while Hamilton’s funeral was taking place.
Jeffery Simmons (left) is jailed on murder and strong arm robbery charges. Jason Randolph (right) is on the run but will be charged with murder
‘He was living life, enjoying the golden years of his life, and it was just snatched from him by two punks who wanted to steal two TVs, and those two TVs were more important that his life,’ Lott said.
Hamilton moved to Columbia, South Carolina years ago and had previously worked at AT&T. When he retired, he took a job at Sears in the loss prevention department. He was tasked with keeping an eye out for shopkeepers.
The sheriff said Hamilton was a regular churchgoer and a good member of the community.
‘This could have been anyone’s grandfather,’ Lott said.
Both Simmons and Randolph have lengthy criminal records all for stealing items. Randolph remains on the run.
Hamilton had been a Sears employee for 13 years. He was married to his wife for 60 years and they had six children.
Hamilton had been a Sears employee for 13 years and was an Air Force veteran