Police investigating after Conroe officer shoots suspected shoplifter

Conroe police investigate the scene where a suspected shoplifter was shot by police Monday at the Wal-Mart at the corner of Texas 105 West and Walden Road near Montgomery. Conroe police investigate the scene where a suspected shoplifter was shot by police Monday at the Wal-Mart at the corner of Texas 105 West and Walden Road near Montgomery. Photo: Michael Minasi Photo: Michael Minasi Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close Police investigating after Conroe officer shoots suspected shoplifter 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

A Conroe police officer shot a suspected shoplifter outside the Wal-Mart near Montgomery around 11:30 a.m. Monday.

The officer fired three shots at 36-year-old Christopher Fillmore, one of which struck him in the shoulder. Police reportedly believed the suspect pulled a handgun on Wal-Mart employees at the store located at the corner of Texas 105 West and Walden Road.

Law enforcement later determined it was a BB gun.

“Every officer-involved shooting, there’s an investigation,” Conroe Police Sgt. Dorcy McGinnis said. “We do an internal investigation; and once he’s clear of any wrongdoing, which we believe he will be, he’ll be returning to work.”

McGinnis would not name the officer “for his privacy.”

Fillmore will be charged with aggravated robbery, McGinnis said.

Officers arrived just as the suspect was exiting the main entrance at the north end of the store when a loss prevention employee confronted him. McGinnis said Fillmore was trying to steal cell phones and other items.

That Wal-Mart falls inside Conroe city limits and the jurisdiction of CPD.

Fillmore pleaded guilty in September 2015 to a Class A misdemeanor drug possession in Montgomery County.

It’s not the first time CPD has been involved in an officer-involved shooting involving a Wal-Mart theft suspect.

In June 2014, CPD Sgt. Jason Blackwelder was sentenced to five years probation after being found guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death of 19-year-old Russell Rios.

Blackwelder was off-duty and shopping with his wife at the Conroe Wal-Mart on July 31, 2013, while Rios was alleged to have shoplifted from the store.

Police reports indicate Rios broke free from Wal-Mart employees and ran from the store when Blackwelder saw Rios and chased him into a nearby wooded area. Blackwelder and Rios allegedly fought, and at some point, Blackwelder discharged his handgun, striking Rios in the back of the head.

Rios died at the scene.