Walmart: Incident at Lithonia Store 'Truly a Sad Situation'
The company says it is working with law enforcement to get all the facts about the incident in which a shoplifting suspect died after a reported altercation involving store employees and a third-party security officer.
Following the death of shoplifting suspect at the Walmart on Fairington Road in Lithonia early Sunday, Nov. 25—after a reported fight in the store's parking lot involving employees and a third-party security officer—company spokeswoman Dianna Gee provided this statement to Patch:
“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.
“The two associates involved in the incident are currently suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. The third party security officer involved will no longer be providing services to us.
“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. That being said, this is still an active investigation and we’re working with police to provide any assistance.
“We are in the process of conducting a full internal review of the event. If it is determined that our policy was not followed, we will take the appropriate action at the appropriate time.”
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Alicia Brown
8:43 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
This is truly a sad situation that has happened at a local Wal Mart in Dekalb County.
M. T
6:41 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Yes it was!!!!
N.G.
9:05 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012
I'm supposed to feel sorry because a shoplifter died? Give me a break. I'm glad there is one more thug off the streets.
Ben
7:42 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Well I do not think it is a sad situation, This person that died, has been charged with shoplifting before, It would have been a sad Situation, if this Shoplifter had killed the people that caught him or other customers or Worker in the store. Guess what, if he had not Shoplelifted anything, we would not have to write a comment about him, this is one more sorry good for nothing person that is off the streets..
M. T
6:39 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
How in the world can you people be so coldhearted. I GUESS IT MUST BE ICE RUNNING THROUGH YOUR LOW-DOWN DIRTY VIENS!!!!!!!!!!
Joe The Plumber
8:27 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Ill bet the WalMart employees, in the heat of the moment thought they were doing the right thing. I am certain the death was an accident. Unfortunate all the way around.
mark jordan
5:04 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
T ings like this make Xmas not worth celebrating, cant we just all get along!
Tom
6:39 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Don't steal from Walmart...they will track you down and KILL you.
Rollo Strubel
3:07 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
All because they got rid of door greeters who checked receipts. Sam Walton would have rolled over in his grave if he knew how mismanaged walmart has become. The threat of getting your receipt checked discouraged most shoplifters. These killers were totally out of control. No handcuffs or restraint straps, so they choked him. Totally outside of walmart procedure or training.
Larry
1:25 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
If you can't do time, don't do the crime!