by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
The fallout from Black Friday and the potential for criminal activity, unfortunately has been shown to extend itself throughout the Black Friday shopping weekend. The result was the death of an alleged Walmart shoplifter in Lithonia, Georgia.
At approximately 1:30 am on Monday November 26, 2012, a middle aged man who allegedly stole two DVD players from Walmart, was confronted outside the store by two Walmart associates and a security guard. When police arrived, the trio that subdued the man were still on top of him. When police went to handcuff the suspect, he was found to be unresponsive and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Thereafter, the suspect was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Walmart issued a statement expressing sadness and proclaiming that their employees are trained to disengage in situations that would put them or others at risk. Notwithstanding Walmart's training policy, it would appear that another agenda prevailed. The two Walmart employees were suspended without pay pending an investigation and the contracted security guard was dismissed.
Perhaps Walmart spokesperson Diana Gee said it best when she gave a statement saying, "No amount of merchandise is worth someone's life". Unfortunately, in the wake of the Black Friday shopping weekend, Ms. Gee's belief as to the value of human life is not shared by everyone.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
The fallout from Black Friday and the potential for criminal activity, unfortunately has been shown to extend itself throughout the Black Friday shopping weekend. The result was the death of an alleged Walmart shoplifter in Lithonia, Georgia.
At approximately 1:30 am on Monday November 26, 2012, a middle aged man who allegedly stole two DVD players from Walmart, was confronted outside the store by two Walmart associates and a security guard. When police arrived, the trio that subdued the man were still on top of him. When police went to handcuff the suspect, he was found to be unresponsive and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Thereafter, the suspect was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Walmart issued a statement expressing sadness and proclaiming that their employees are trained to disengage in situations that would put them or others at risk. Notwithstanding Walmart's training policy, it would appear that another agenda prevailed. The two Walmart employees were suspended without pay pending an investigation and the contracted security guard was dismissed.
Perhaps Walmart spokesperson Diana Gee said it best when she gave a statement saying, "No amount of merchandise is worth someone's life". Unfortunately, in the wake of the Black Friday shopping weekend, Ms. Gee's belief as to the value of human life is not shared by everyone.
Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
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