Two security guards at the Eagle River Wal-Mart were injured Wednesday evening when four teenage boys trying to steal from the store opened fire on them with a pellet gun, police said.
Dispatchers were initially informed of shots fired at an employee at the store on Eagle River Road shortly before 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Thursday statement from Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Castro.
"It was reported to police that multiple juveniles who were trying to shoplift from the store were contacted by two loss-prevention security guards who attempted to detain them," Castro wrote. "During the altercation, one employee was shot at with a BB gun and was struck near the eye. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injury and was released. The second security guard had also been struck by a BB pellet and was treated at the scene for his injury."
In an email on the incident, Castro said the altercation took place after the suspects had left the building.
"It was reported to police that the juveniles had more than $800 worth of various merchandise loaded into a cart and did not pay for any of the property," Castro wrote. "Two loss prevention security guards ran after the shoplifting suspects where they confronted them outside of the store."
Castro said two of the suspects fired BB guns at the guards, who were able to detain one of the suspects as the other two ran away.
"After conducting a preliminary investigation, officers were able to identify the other juveniles involved and locate them," Castro wrote.
The teens -- two 17-year-olds, a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old -- were taken to the McLaughlin Youth Center.
Police initially said three teens were responsible for the incident. The 16-year-old's involvement was discovered later and announced by police Thursday afternoon.