Security guard charged with murder in Hollywood Walgreens shooting

Jan. 3, 2019, 2:54 p.m.

A security guard who police say shot and killed a 21-year-old man last month in Hollywood was charged with murder by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office Monday.

Donald Vincent Ciota, 28, of Covina faces one count of murder with an allegation that he used a firearm as a deadly weapon. Ciota shot and killed Jonathan Hart inside a Walgreens at Vine Street and Sunset Boulevard on Dec. 2, authorities said.

Ciota suspected Hart of shoplifting, and the two got into a physical altercation, prosecutors said. Ciota pulled a gun and fatally shot Hart in the back as he ran away, they said.

Hart died from a gunshot wound to the neck, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Family attorney Carl Douglas said Hart was unarmed and was not shoplifting that night. The attorney said Hart had gotten into a confrontation with the same security guard earlier that night and had spoken with the store manager before continuing to shop.

Douglas said Monday that Hart’s family was “heartened and encouraged” that Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s office has charged Ciota. He said Hart’s family is planning to file a $525-million wrongful-death suit against Walgreens.

Ciota faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

Three reader comments

Hunny, I understand how one could become wary of motives for suing especially when a large sum of money is involved but the truth is this family has a case that they have every right to sue for. If the court finds in favor of the family, they are not only set for life, they also help justice be served. If you came into an opportunity to be compensated financially for a loss, I doubt you'd be thinking about how that loved one is not a bank payout and thus refuse to pursue it.

I believe in the courts and if they decide the lawsuit is frivolous, then they won't benefit financially from Jonathan's death. I just don't see why there is a need to judge a family you don't know and for doing something that you'd likely do too if you were in the same situation.

As for the shooting, I don't know the details but just the fact Jonathan was shot in the back of the neck as he was RUNNING AWAY is enough to suggest the security guard was RIDICULOUSLY OUT OF LINE. Let's just suppose Jonathan was viciously violent toward the guard, shooting at him as he ran away is completely unnecessary! Especially shooting at his upper torso region! The guard killed him for running away after being suspected of shoplifting and for resisting arrest. That's bullshit and excessive force given the situation. Seems to me the guard allowed Jonathan to get the best of him and shot him with the intention of killing him over personal reasons rather than reasons having to do with self-defense. But he is innocent until proven guilty and I hope the guard won't be throwing his life away over a shoplifting altercation that didn't need to be deadly.

My heart goes out to Jonathan's family and also to the family of the guard who I'm sure don't deserve what this horrible tragedy has brought to them as well.

— Fed Up Jan. 18, 2019 at 1:33 a.m.

My Condolences to Johnathan Hart Family. No matter what it’s not wished upon. My question is to those suing & announced plans to file a $525 million lawsuit against Walgreens — alleging the corporation places armed guards in only a select number of its stores. This was an unfortunate death, maybe the security guard could have shot him in the leg, arm or just in the air. I’m sure he felt threatened I can see his concern. May I ask why are you suing Walgreens? Is this a quick sadden family that is money hungry? Why was he homeless & why didn’t you invest in finding him help with his mental illness? I just hope that he is resting and no longer in pain. I see no point in you suing when you didn’t care in the first place. Johnathan was your love one not your Bank one!

— Hunny Jan. 6, 2019 at 10:17 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Security guard charged with murder in Hollywood Walgreens shooting

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Three reader comments