Auto Parts Store Manager Catches Man Stealing From Store, Allegedly Strangles Him to Death: Cops
Carl Kemppainen is accused of killing a man who was trying to steal from his auto parts store.
Sep. 25 2023, Published 6:00 p.m. ET
Two men were allegedly shoplifting inside a Kansas auto parts store when the manager reportedly stopped them by strangling one of them to death, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Around 6 p.m. on Sept. 19, police were called to an O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Kansas City, as Front Page Detectives reported.
Police were called to an auto parts store in Kansas City and found an unresponsive man.
Once at the store, first responders found an unresponsive man later identified as 23-year-old Diamond Steen.
Medics performed life-saving measures on Steen, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Medics performed life-saving measures on the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said store employees suspected Steen and another person were shoplifting vehicle maintenance fluid from the store, so they confronted them.
The situation turned violent, with the employees reportedly overpowering the two men and holding them down outside the store, WDAF-TV reported.
The strangulation took place outside of the auto parts store.
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Authorities said Steen’s death was ruled a homicide caused by strangulation. In a press conference, Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said Steen’s “airway was completely stopped,” WDAF-TV reported.
The second individual was hospitalized with minor injuries, police said.
The store manager has now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the man's death.
During the press conference, Dupree announced a second-degree murder charge against 39-year-old Carl Kemppainen, the manager of the auto parts store, in connection with the death of the alleged shoplifter.
Dupree also urged the public to not take justice into their own hands, saying, “Make no mistake, it is law enforcement’s job to do the policing, no one else’s,” according to WDAF-TV.
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Authorities said charges may also be filed against others involved in the incident. Meanwhile, Kemppainen is free on a $125,000 bond.
In a statement to WDAF-TV, O’Reilly Auto Parts said, “O’Reilly Auto Parts is deeply disturbed by the events, death and injuries that occurred at our store in Kansas City, Kansas. We are cooperating fully with the police investigation.”