Mich. lawmakers continue push for new security guard training law

Move comes after Mckenzie Cochran died after being pepper-sprayed, restrained by guards at Northland Mall

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The death of a young man at a local mall prompted calls for change, but a bill aimed at protecting all shoppers is being blocked in Lansing.

Mckenzie Cochran died in January after being pepper-sprayed and restrained by guards at Northland Mall.

As a result, two state lawmakers from metro Detroit pushed for a new law requiring training for security guards. But so far, nothing has changed.

Six months later, cellphone video captured of Cochran being restrained after a scuffle with security guards at Northland Mall is still hard to watch. Officers were seen holding the 25-year-old man down as he screamed for help.

According to the Medical Examiner's office, Cochran's death was an accident. Autopsy results show he died of "position compression asphyxia."

More: Southfield mall death ruled accidental asphyxia

Days after the controversial death, representatives Rudy Hobbs and Thomas Stallworth came up with a new bill mandating security guards in Michigan undergo more extensive training.

The bill has now become a messy debacle. Hobbs said Sen. Darwin Booher is sitting on the legislation.

Hobbs and Stallworth teamed up with state senators to push the bill through, but they said Booher is leading the pack. He's been working on an update to the public act regulating security guard agencies for over two years.

Hobbs said Booher agreed to incorporate the new training requirements as part of his larger overhaul. The bill was expected to be introduced before summer recess, which is next week.

Down to the wire with the bill still not ready, the representatives are pressuring Booher to stop the standstill.