1 security guard killed, 1 hurt in stabbing at Macy's in Philadelphia: Police

One security guard was killed and another was injured in a stabbing attack at a Macy's department store in Philadelphia on Monday morning, authorities said.

The incident began at about 10:45 a.m. when a man tried to steal hats from Macy's in Center City, Philadelphia police said at a news conference. Security stopped the man, and after a "confrontation," police said, the security officer "backs off, gets the merchandise back, allows the male to go on."

About 15 minutes later, the man returned to the location and attacked two security guards with a knife, police said.

One of the security guards, a 30-year-old man, was stabbed in the neck and died at the hospital at 11:19 a.m., police said, calling it a "tragic situation."

The second guard, a 23-year-old man, was stabbed in the face and arm and was hospitalized in stable condition, police said.

The suspect fled from the Macy's, took public transit and was then apprehended at about noon, police said. His name has not been released.

The security guards were not armed, police said.

The Macy's store has been closed, police said.

"We are heartbroken about the incident that took place today at Macy's Center City," a Macy’s spokesperson said. "Ensuring the safety and well-being of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority."

The Center City Macy’s location has filed over 250 reports of retail theft this year, police said.