Food security guards are killing Petersburgers. A sad chronicle

Going for food should not become a struggle for survival. However, in St. Petersburg for less than a year, two people have died after clashes with store guards. In January, the tragedy occurred in the “City Mall”, in October – in the Nevsky district. And while investigators investigate the circumstances of another death, an uncomfortable question arises: who and how controls the people who are trusted with the safety of customers?

On the night of October 18, a tragedy occurred in the Nevsky district of St. Petersburg, which began with an ordinary shoplifting. According to preliminary data, the 47-year-old man stole goods from the grocery store and tried to escape. The guard spotted him.

The proceedings continued on the street. Between the men there was a conflict, during which the security officer, according to investigators, repeatedly struck the alleged kidnapper in the head and torso. He fell and suffered a head injury. It was not possible to save him - the man died on the spot, reported in the GSU IC of Russia in St. Petersburg.

The guard was arrested. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on intentional infliction of serious harm to health, which resulted in the death of the victim through negligence.

According to preliminary data, the man really stole goods from the store. However, even in this case, the actions of the guard must remain within the law. Now, instead of investigating the stolen products, investigators will have to investigate the death of a person.

Just nine months ago, St. Petersburg was shocked by a similar story. On the evening of January 21, in the Perekrestok store of the City Mall shopping center on Kolomyazhsky Prospekt, security guards suspected a 24-year-old visitor of theft.

According to investigators, three men attacked the young man and knocked him to the floor. One crushed the victim's neck, the other inflicted multiple blows to the head. The victim was taken to hospital, but later died. Forensic examination established the cause of death mechanical asphyxia.

Two guards were charged with murder committed by a group of individuals. The third party to the conflict fled abroad – according to law enforcement officers, he flew to Uzbekistan. The man was declared wanted, and materials against him were allocated in a separate production.

During the investigation, investigators questioned 13 witnesses, examined CCTV footage and conducted seven forensic examinations. The case of the two accused was sent to court.

It is noteworthy that the investigation also made five submissions to eliminate the circumstances that contributed to the crime. As a result of their consideration, those responsible for the revealed violations were brought to disciplinary responsibility, including dismissed.

And nine months later, St. Petersburg is again discussing the death of a man after a conflict with shop guards. The circumstances of the two incidents differ, as do the charges against the defendants. But the result is one — two lives ended.

Deaths are the worst episodes of this chronicle. However, reports of violent clashes with the security of shopping facilities appeared in St. Petersburg before.

In September 2019, a scandal broke out in the shopping center “Gallery”. Two friends were leaving the clothing store when the anti-theft frames went off. The guards suspected visitors of stealing the cap, after which a conflict arose.

One of the victims, 30-year-old Artem, told “KP-Petersburg” that security officers knocked down his friend, and then hit the man. According to Artem, he lost consciousness and woke up in a pool of blood.

The consequences were serious: fractures of the jaw and nose, concussion, damage to the ear canal and loss of several teeth. The man claimed there was no theft. The police were checking the circumstances of the incident.

In January 2023, a video of another brutal detention in a shopping center in the north of St. Petersburg appeared on social networks. According to eyewitnesses, after the alarm between the buyer and the security guard began a quarrel, which turned into a fight. The officer knocked the man to the floor and beat him. Witnesses reported traces of blood, reported “KP-Petersburg”.

Whether the theft was actually committed remains unknown. But it is this circumstance that makes the story especially telling: suspicion does not mean guilt, and conflict with the buyer does not give the right to uncontrolled use of force.

Violent conflicts also occur between security personnel. In August 2026, a 46-year-old employee of a security organization was detained in the Vyborg district, suspected of brutally beating a colleague in a business center on Helsingforsskaya Street. The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries, opened a criminal case.

Another episode occurred in July in the parking lot of a shopping complex on Moscow Avenue. According to police, two men working as security guards beat a 49-year-old security officer during a traffic conflict. The suspects were detained, the case was initiated under the article on intentional infliction of serious harm to health.

For nine months, St. Petersburg faced two fatal accidents related to the actions of shop guards. And this is not counting numerous cases of beatings and harsh detentions, which in different years fell into criminal reports. Of course, the actions of individual officers do not give grounds to judge the entire security system. However, recurring incidents have led to serious consideration of staff training, supervision and employer responsibility. Obviously, it is necessary to restore order in this area without waiting for another tragedy. Shops have the right to protect their property, and guards have the right to suppress offenses, but only within the framework of the law. Nothing stolen is worth a human life.