A 70-year-old man shoots a Citi Thrift employee with a shotgun after stealing $1,000

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Police say a 70-year-old man pointed a shotgun at a Citi Thrift employee after stealing backpacks full of clothing from a Summer Avenue store.

R.D. Franklin was charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and theft of property.

A Citi Thrift employee said that on June 18, she saw Franklin fill two backpacks with Citi Thrift merchandise and leave without paying. The employee said that when she asked Franklin for the receipt, he ran out of the store and got into a white Kia Soul.

The employee said she followed him outside to take a photo of him, and that’s when he pointed a shotgun at her and threatened her. The victim stated he feared for his life and hid behind another vehicle.

Police said the Kia’s identification number was returned to Franklin and he registered the vehicle Wednesday during the Summer and National competition.

Officers said he had crack cocaine on him when they arrested Franklin and also faces drug charges.

According to court records, Franklin was sentenced to three years in prison in 2020 for aggravated burglary and has a prior drug conviction. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.