An elderly Home Depot employee in North Carolina has died after a suspected shoplifter shoved him on Oct. 18. Gary Rasor, 82 at the time, was working in the garden section of the Hillsborough Home Depot when he saw a man he believed had regularly stolen from the store in the past.
Though the man wore a face mask and hoodie, Rasor was certain it was the regular shoplifter, and he stuck his arm out when the suspect attempted to walk out of the store. In the suspect’s cart were three pressure washers worth about $800.
As captured in a store surveillance footage, the suspect violently shoved Rasor out of his way, causing the older man to hit his head on a potted plant. The criminal did not stop to help but instead continued with his escape.
Shocking moment shoplifter shoved 82-year-old Home Depot worker to the ground after he tried to stop the thief brazenly wheeling a cart full of power tools out of #NorthCarolina store pic.twitter.com/dDeS8wpyOo
— Hans Solo (@thandojo) October 21, 2022
While Rasor sustained several fractures, he survived the fall. However, he suffered a heart attack soon afterward. He survived that, too but was in and out of the hospital in the following weeks.
After managing to celebrate his 83rd birthday, he was readmitted to the hospital on Nov. 23. Eight days later, on Dec. 1, he succumbed to his injuries.
The local medical examiner ruled his death a homicide as police wrote in their report that he died as a result of “complications from the injuries received” in the incident.
Rasor’s family members are left devastated by his death. His wife Yovone has to deal with a broken heart and frustration at the thought of the never-to-be-fulfilled plans she made with her husband before his tragic death. The couple, who had been married for 30 years, had made many plans, including visiting a new grandchild over the holidays.
What son Jeff Rasor finds the most painful is the senselessness behind his father’s death. He finds it ridiculous that someone killed the poor man over a few pressure washers.
Stepdaughter Leigh Bucholtz hopes that Rasor’s death is not without justice. For her, the best way to honor him is to catch the person responsible for his death.
Authorities have shared a photograph of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in identifying him. They described him as a Black male standing at approximately 6 feet. He drove off the scene in a white four-door Hyundai Sonata.
Police are urging anyone with information that could help determine the suspect’s whereabouts to contact Hillsborough investigator Andrew Jones at 919-296-9562. Tipsters can also reach out to the detective via email.
