A man suspected of shoplifting from a Lithonia, Georgia Walmart died yesterday after an altercation with two store employees and a contract security guard.
Authorities are currently investigating the situation, in which the alleged shoplifter was confronted after being accused of pocketing two DVD players from the Atlanta area discount store.
No for real tho… TWO DVD PLAYERS? Not a million dollar bank robbery… TWO DAYUM DVD PLAYERS!
Details below…
When DeKalb County police officers arrived at the scene, they found the employees on top of the suspected shoplifter, a middle-aged man.
According to the police report obtained by WSB-TV, when an officer attempted to handcuff the suspect, there was no resistance. At that point, the officer noticed the suspect was bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The suspected shoplifter was transported to DeKalb Medical-Hillandale Hospital, where he was soon pronounced dead.
Channel 2’s Amanda Cook received the following statement from Walmart spokeswoman Dianna Gee:
?This is truly a sad situation. We don?t know all of the facts right now. We?re in the process of working with law enforcement to determine all of the facts and cooperating and providing any information we have to assist in the investigation,” Gee said.
?The two associates involved in the incident are currently suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. The security officer involved will no longer be providing services to us,” she said.
?Our associates are trained that the safety of our customers and our associates is our first priority. No amount of merchandise is worth someone?s life. Associates are trained to disengage from situations that would put themselves or others at risk,” added Gee. “That being said, this is still an active investigation and we?re working with police to provide any assistance.”
Gee continued, saying officials are in the process of conducting a full internal review, and if it’s determined that Walmart policy was not followed, officials will take the “appropriate action at the appropriate time.”
Wow! This situation is upsetting for all involved. First a man is DEAD over a few DVD players and secondly there are a few employees that could possible face murder charges in the near future.
Was it really THAT serious?