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Family mourns security guard killed while confronting shoplifters at a downtown Dallas CVS

Dallas family grieves security guard killed confronting shoplifters
Dallas family grieves security guard killed confronting shoplifters 02:27

DALLAS – The family of Anthony Egeonu, a security guard shot and killed while confronting shoplifters at a downtown Dallas CVS, is struggling with raw emotions and profound grief.

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Anthony Egeonu   Egeonu family  

Anthony Egeonu's daughters, Amari and Jayda, sat quietly in the center of the living room.

"I feel terrible. I feel frustrated," said Amari, tearfully. "I will always be bruised from this situation. Because my dad is no longer here."

"He's not coming home," added Jayda.

Their father worked as a security guard at CVS on Main Street, where neighbors say crime is a major issue.

In less than 24 hours, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old were in custody on capital murder charges. Dallas police have not formally identified them because of their ages.

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Anthony Egeonu     Egeonu family    

"To go to work, do what you're supposed to be doing … another person that doesn't value life to take another life, I can't wrap my mind around it," said Anthony Egeonu's mother, Gwendolyn Pipkins.

"They made a choice to leave us hurting, grieving, and in pain, never ever to lay eyes on a person we love very much," she added.

Octavia Egeonu said while the family was aware of the dangers of the job, her husband had always been passionate about law enforcement. The couple had been married for eight years.

"He stayed because he was getting ready to be promoted to where he wouldn't even be in that store. He would have been supervising at a different location," Octavia Egeonu said.

As she sat quietly surrounded by friends and family, Octavia Egeonu said they would lean heavily on their faith for closure.

"This family is wounded, but we are going to make it through because we serve a savior who's already conquered," she added.

Anthony Egeonu is the second son Pipkins has lost to violence.

"It tells me in the word of God that when I say that I'm weak, I can say that I'm strong because God carries me when I can't carry myself. And right now, I'm not carrying myself. I know God is carrying me," she said.

"I will see justice. I know that the Lord is not going to allow us not to have justice," Gwendolyn added.

Anthony Egeonu is survived by his wife, Octavia; children, Jayda, Amari and Jace; his parents; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

The family has created a GoFundMe to support his wife and children, helping to cover their living expenses and ensure they are well taken care of during this difficult time.

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