A Walgreens employee in San Francisco, Guang Hong, 45, has been arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly Stabbing Shoplifter in the eye with a set of keys.
The incident, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, has sparked debate about the response to theft and the challenges faced by retail workers dealing with frequent shoplifting incidents.
The Confrontation Between Hong and Whitlock
According to authorities, the altercation began when Larry Whitlock, 30, exited the Walgreens store on Castro Way without paying for his goods. Surveillance footage shows Hong pursuing Whitlock onto the street, where the two engaged in a verbal confrontation. After the initial encounter, Hong returned inside while Whitlock remained outside.
Minutes later, Hong emerged again, and another exchange took place between the two men. At one point, Whitlock lunged at Hong, prompting the Walgreens employee to react by swinging his arms, causing Whitlock to fall to the ground while clutching his face. In the footage, Hong appears to kick Whitlock before heading back inside the store.
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However, the conflict did not end there. Whitlock remained in the vicinity, and Hong returned outside once more. The two men then walked out of the frame, and it was around 20 minutes after the initial confrontation that police were called to the scene following a report of a stabbing. Authorities confirmed that Whitlock had been stabbed in the eye with a set of keys.
Legal Consequences and Community Reactions
Following the incident, Hong was taken into custody, while Whitlock was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. His injuries were described as “non-life-threatening.” Upon release from the hospital, Whitlock was charged with battery and petty theft.
The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed that the weapon used in the stabbing was a set of keys. As the only 24-hour Walgreens store in the city, the location has reportedly dealt with persistent issues related to theft and security.
San Fransisco Walgreens employee, Guang Hong, gets into a street fight with a shoplifter and stabs the shoplifter in the eye.
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) March 21, 2025
He was later arrested…#CityLife #walgreens #SanFransisco #eye #knife #urban #decay #california #democrats pic.twitter.com/bhun4KRGXi
The incident has led to mixed reactions within the community. Terry Asten Bennett, the president of the Castro Merchants Association, expressed sympathy for Hong but stated that he should not have followed Whitlock outside. Bennett highlighted that retail employees often face threats from members of the local homeless community.
Chris Murray, a local resident who frequently shops at the store, described the widespread nature of shoplifting, explaining that thieves often steal openly without attempting to conceal their actions. He expressed surprise at Hong’s response but acknowledged the difficulties faced by employees dealing with such situations regularly.
Potential Legal Outcomes
The legal consequences for both individuals involved in the incident vary significantly. If found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, Hong could face up to four years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Meanwhile, Whitlock, who is facing charges of battery and petty theft, could be sentenced to up to six months in prison and fined $3,000.
This case comes amid broader concerns about retail theft and security measures in San Francisco. In 2023, a similar high-profile case occurred when security guard Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony shot and killed a suspected shoplifter, Banko Brown, at a Walgreens location on Market Street.
Charges against Anthony were later dropped, further fueling discussions about how businesses and employees should handle theft incidents.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Guang Hong and Larry Whitlock continues to draw attention, raising questions about self-defense, retail theft, and the responsibilities of store employees when confronted with criminal activity.