Why are there so many shooting incidents and other gun crimes on Walmart property?

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Two teens rob, carjack, and kidnap man in Florida Walmart parking lot

Occurred December 26, 2014.
(screenpic source)



A customer had just left a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Winter Springs, Florida, and was getting into his car when he was accosted by two 18-year old boys armed with handguns.  They stole his wallet and keys and forced him into the car, drove him to an ATM to force him to retrieve money, kidnapped him in the back of his car, then left him at a facility before fleeing.

The two were caught soon after by police.  Luckily the victim was not seriously injured.

From an article:
A trip to the grocery store would take 28-year-old Jardin Delman on another trip that would include being duct taped.
Early Monday morning, Seminole County deputies responded to a robbery and kidnapping. Delman reported that around 12:30 a.m. two men armed with handguns confronted him in the parking lot of Walmart Neighborhood Market on Red Bug Lake Road.
The men demanded the Delman's wallet and car keys and then forced him into the backseat of his black 2011 Mercedes-Benz. The pair then drove the stolen vehicle to a nearby bank and forced the victim to withdraw $240 from his account.
The men then drove to a residential care facility, Impower, at 3800 Dike Road in Winter Park. Once there, they duct taped Delman's eyes and hands, placed him in the trunk of the vehicle and drove around for several hours.
Shortly after 4 a.m., the men returned to the residential care facility, removed Delman from the trunk, placed him in a rolling chair and locked him in the bathroom. The men then fled in the stolen Mercedes-Benz.
Two other men who live in the facility were able to free Delman and called 911. He did not sustain any physical injuries.
Deputies in the area quickly spotted the stolen vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, James Burgado, 18, of Winter Park, was taken into custody. The passenger, Jayland Harrison, 18, of Winter Park, fled on foot and was apprehended a short time later by an SCSO K-9 Unit.
Burgado and Harrison were charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, carjacking and assault. They were booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on no bond, but leaving shoppers questioning their safety at their neighborhood market.
"For something like that to happen to someone, that's scary," said shopper Steven Huff.
"You wouldn't think that you would need to be aware of your surroundings like that," said shopper Nicole Small.
The pair are scheduled to be in court for their first appearance hearing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Three boys caught stealing guns from Florida Walmart store

Occurred December 24, 2014.
Scene of children stealing guns at Florida Walmart (source)



On Christmas Eve, three boys, ages 12, 13, and 16, entered a Walmart store in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, and drew the attention of security as they "cased the store."  The three boys then shoplifted a number of items, including three handguns and part of a rifle.  When they tried to leave the store, security and police confronted the boys and arrested the two youngest immediately and the oldest after he tried to flee.

From the look of the picture to the right, from the link below, at least one of the handguns may have been a realistic-looking Airsoft pellet gun.

From an article and news video:
Guns stolen by the boys
Three juveniles were arrested Saturday at the Walmart store on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach after they attempted to steal weapons, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
The trio were met by PBSO deputies as they left the store.
Walmart's loss prevention staff noticed the 12, 13 and 16-year-olds "casing" the store, according to PBSO, notified the sheriff's office and locked down the store.
Officials say all three juveniles fled from the store with deputies awaiting them around the perimeter of the building.
The 16-year-old fled on foot and was quickly captured by a K-9 officer. PBSO says the other two juveniles were captured without incident.
All three suspects have been transported to JAC unit and will be charged with Retail Grand Theft. The 16-year-old will also be charged with Resisting Arrest.
Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.


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Conceal carry permit holder shot to death by her 2-year old in Idaho Walmart

Occurred December 30, 2014.
Scene of fatal shooting at Hayden Walmart (source)


(UPDATED - See below)

A 29-year old woman, Veronica J. Rutledge, was shopping with her four children in a Walmart store in Hayden, Idaho, when her 2-year old boy reached into her purse, grabbed a loaded, unsecured handgun, and shot her to death with it.

The woman had a conceal carry permit.  This is at least the 11th incident this year caused by a conceal carry permit holder in Walmart stores, and at least the 30th since I've started keeping track.  See HERE.  And I only know of one incident were a concealed carry permit shooting at a Walmart store was actually deemed as self defense.  So, Walmart, why do you still allow this dangerous practice in your stores?

From an article:
Veronica J. Rutledge, 29, was shopping with her son and three other children, Kootenai County sheriff's spokesman Stu Miller said. Rutledge was from Blackfoot in southeastern Idaho, and her family had come to the area to visit relatives.
She had a concealed weapons permit. Miller said the young boy was left in a shopping cart, reached into his mother's purse and grabbed a small-caliber handgun, which discharged one time.
Deputies who responded to the Wal-Mart found Rutledge dead, the sheriff's office said.
"It appears to be a pretty tragic accident," Miller said.
The victim's father-in-law, Terry Rutledge, told The Associated Press that Veronica Rutledge "was a beautiful, young, loving mother."
"She was not the least bit irresponsible," Terry Rutledge said. "She was taken much too soon."
The woman's husband was not in the store when the shooting happened at about 10:20 a.m. Miller said the man arrived shortly after the shooting. All the children were taken to a relative's house.
The shooting occurred in the Wal-Mart in Hayden, Idaho, a town about 40 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington. The store closed and was not expected to reopen until Wednesday morning.
Brooke Buchanan, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said in a statement the shooting was a "very sad and tragic accident."
It is very sad and tragic, and unintentional, but it wasn't an "accident" as I define it since it was completely avoidable.  There are a lot of lessons to be learned here.  The gun wasn't secured.  It was around children.  It was loaded.  And Walmart didn't have to allow the carrying of guns in their stores.  All of these factors increase the risk.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

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UPDATE (12/31/14):   The purse where the gun had been stored was specially made for storing a concealed handgun and was given to her this Christmas by her husband.  Both the woman and her husband were very experienced with guns and guns played a big part in their lives.  From an article:

Terry Rutledge, Veronica's father-in-law, told The Spokesman-Review that the boy unzipped the special gun compartment in the woman's purse where the weapon was kept while she was looking at clothing.
Terry Rutledge said his 29-year-old daughter-in-law did not put the weapon "loosely into her purse."
Victoria Rutledge had a concealed weapons permit, and guns were a big part of Rutledge's life, her father-in-law said. ....
Terry Rutledge told The Washington Post that Veronica Rutledge and her husband practiced at shooting ranges and each had a concealed weapons permit. He said for Christmas this year, her husband gave her the purse with a special zippered pocket for a concealed weapon.
About 7 percent of adults in Idaho had concealed weapons permits at the end of 2012, according to the Crime Prevention Research Center in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. That ranked Idaho among the top third of states.

UPDATE (1/1/15):  A good article on the local gun culture that contributed to this tragedy.
. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Shoplifter threatens Walmart employee with gun in Washington state

Occurred December 26, 2014.
Scene of armed shoplifting at Lacey Walmart (screenshot source)


(UPDATED -- See below)

A man by the name of Jonathan Langford entered a Walmart store in Lacey, Washington, and tried to shoplift a Dyson vacuum cleaner.  When a security guard confronted him and took him to the security office, Langford pulled out a handgun and threatened him with it, then fled through the store waving the gun, sending shoppers running in panic.

After a "small tussle," Langford fled with the help of a getaway driver.

Luckily, no shots were fired.

He is still at large.

From an article and news video:
Langford had people running for the doors on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
He was pulled into the security office for attempting to steal a Dyson vacuum Friday afternoon. That’s when he pulled out the handgun and ran from the store.

"He pulled the gun from his waistband, a small tussle ensued, and from there -- he fled the building,” said Detective Miguel Stansberry with the Lacey Police Department.
Customers saw Langford with that gun as he left the Walmart.
"We heard a lady come screaming, and then we saw a whole bunch of people coming toward the back of the store,” said Nathaniel Hemby, a shopper.
No shots were fired.
Lacey Police Department says Langford got into a car and drove out of the lot.
Detectives are investigating the store.
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UPDATED (12/30/14):   The suspect, Jonathan Langford, was arrested in Astoria, Oregon, and will be extradited.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Two drunk men shoot up Idaho Walmart store with a BB gun

Occurred December 24, 2014.


Two intoxicated men entered a Walmart store in Post Falls, Idaho, removed a BB gun and BBs from the packaging inside the store, then shot up the store with the gun.  They were soon arrested.

Apparently there weren't any injuries.

From an article:
It happened overnight when the two males walked into the store and took a brand new BB gun out of its box.
Police said they then loaded the gun and fired four separate times while inside the store.
The two eventually walked up to a loss prevention officer and asked if he wanted to join them.
They then walked out of the store, but several officers and a deputy were able to locate and arrest the two men.
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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Walmart workers shot at while in parking lot of store in California

Occurred December 23, 2014.


Two Walmart employees were working outside their store in Stockton, Walmart, when they were shot at from a nearby house.  Luckily, they took cover and were not hit.

From an article:
Two employees of the Walmart on East Hammer Lane were working outside behind the store around 10:09 p.m. Tuesday when they heard gunshots and the “whiz” of bullets flying past them, police reported.
They quickly took cover inside the store, unsure where the shots were coming from. They described hearing three to four gunshots from what sounded like a .22-caliber weapon, according to a report.
Video surveillance recorded muzzle flashes from a house nearby, and responding officers checked the residence but no one came to the door. And no shell casings were found around the home, according to police.
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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Gunmen attempt robbery of Walmart shoppers in Louisiana

Occurred December 22, 2014.

(UPDATED -- See below)

Two people were in their car in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Covington, Louisiana, when three men approached.  The men pulled out a handgun and tried to rob the occupants of the car.  When the victims yelled for help, though, the robbers fled.

From an article:
Authorities said the two victims told deputies they were sitting in their vehicle in the parking lot of the store on U.S. 190 when two or three men approached. One of the men appeared to be armed with a Glock handgun, the sheriff's office said.
When one of the victims yelled for help, the sheriff's office said the suspects ran away.
The suspects last were seen running toward Home Depot and the Ibis Trail Apartments. A K-9 was called in to assist in the search, but could not locate the suspects.
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UPDATE (12/27/14):   Two teen boys, ages 15 and 17, have been arrested for the armed robbery.  From an article:
Shawn Miller, 17, was booked Wednesday in the St. Tammany Parish jail with attempted armed robbery with a firearm and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday (Dec. 26). The 15-year-old was booked in the Florida Parish Juvenile Detention Center with attempted armed robbery, authorities said.
The article didn't mention how the boys got the gun.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

One dead and two injured in shooting at Mississippi Walmart

Occurred December 23, 2014.
Scene of fatal shooting at Clarksdale Walmart (screenshot source)


(UPDATED -- See below)

Three young men were in a Walmart store in Clarksdale, Mississippi, when they got into an argument with four other young men.

The argument spilled out into the parking lot, and the three men got into a vehicle.  That's when the other men pulled out a gun and shot the three in the car, then fled.

One of the three victims, aged 23, died from multiple gunshots at the scene.  The other two, ages 19 and 20, were wounded and taken to a hospital.

From an article:
Clarksdale Police said a 23-year-old Black man was shot multiple times in his upper torso and died from his injuries.

A 19-year-old Black male was shot in the neck and another Black male, age 20, was shot in the back, police said.

Both victims were taken to an area hospital. Their conditions are unknown. A witness told FOX13 News his cousin and two other passengers were sitting in the vehicle and another driver approached their vehicle. A gunman got out and shot the 23-year-old, who was a passenger in the back seat and then shot his 20-year-old cousin in the neck, who was sitting in the driver's seat. The 19-year-old who was sitting in the front passenger seat was then shot in the back.

Police said it appeared to be some type of confrontation inside the Walmart between the victims and four young Black male subjects. The shooting occurred once the victims were out in the parking lot.

Police said it appears to be a targeted shooting and not a random shooting.

There is no suspect information and the shooting remains under investigation.
From another article:

Investigators worked overnight to find the people who opened fire just two days before Christmas
"It's the wrong time for that. Within two days of the birth of Jesus Christ, and people still killing each other," said James Parks.
Investigators say an argument broke out inside the store, spilling over into the parking lot where several shots were fired.
"Could have hit anybody. Makes me want to get in my car and leave," Parks added.
Police say Tuesday's shooting was targeted. They're searching for three or four men who drove off in a dark colored SUV.
Nancy Bailey added, "You're kind of afraid for your life trying to come out and do what you need to do for the holidays. That's scary."
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UPDATE (12/26/14):  The main suspect in the case, 19-year old Christin Trey Allen, also known as Trey Pulley, turned himself in to custody.

A second person, James Thompkins, has also been charged as an accessory to the crime.  Around 20 shots had been fired. 

Police detective commits suicide by gun in California Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 27, 2014.


A Los Angles Police detective, Dennis Derr, committed suicide in his car, while parked in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Palmdale, California.  He was facing accusations of molesting two female relatives who were teens at the time of the alleged abuse.

From an article:
Dennis Derr, 52, was found in his car in the parking lot of a Walmart in Palmdale on Thanksgiving morning, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, news outlets reported. 
The Los Angeles Times said Derr was a 17-year LAPD veteran, and a detective since 2006. Derr was assigned to the Van Nuys division of the LAPD, the paper said, and had worked on a team that handled sexual assault cases. 
He had also served as a pastor or bible studies teacher at two churches, his son Philip told the paper. 
A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department sergeant confirmed two adults had made sexual abuse allegations against Derr. 
The abuse had allegedly occurred when they were teenagers, the Times reported. 
The relatives informed Derr's wife of the abuse, Philip Derr said. She wrote her husband a note saying she was aware of the allegations, and left the family home while he slept, Philip Derr said. 
Dennis Derr wrote an email to family members the following morning, Nov. 27, making what the paper described as "a vague denial'' of the allegations, and suggesting he had decided to kill himself. 
His body was discovered later that day.
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Gunman tries to carjack a customer at Florida Walmart

Occurred December 2, 2014.


A shopper at a Walmart store at the Leesburg- Fruitland Park border in Florida was getting into her car when a man approached her, threatened her with a handgun, and tried to carjack her.  The woman fought back, and the man instead stole her purse. 

The man was struck by another vehicle, however, and attacked by witnesses, dropping the purse, but he escaped.

From an article:
A male suspect approached a 42-year-old woman who was getting into her car parked in the middle of the store's lot, said Fruitland Park police Lt. Beckie Sirolli.
The man pointed a handgun at the woman's face and attempted to break into the locked backseat of her car, Sirolli said. The woman started screaming and tried to get out of her car, prompting the suspect to push her back into the car.
After some struggle, the woman was able to exit her car but the suspect grabbed her purse and ran.
"As a consolation prize because he couldn't get into her vehicle, he took her purse," Sirolli said.
But the suspect made it about two aisles over in the parking lot before he was struck by a Chevy pickup. He dropped, rolled and continued running while two to three men, who witnessed the incident, chased and struck him in the face.
The suspect then dropped the woman's purse and managed to run into the nearby wooded area, where officers continue to search for him, Sirolli said.
"It was enough time for him to disappear," she said.
In two separate incidents between 1 to 3 p.m. today, Sirolli said two suspects were caught and arrested for shoplifting. Nobody was injured in these incidents. She said this type of frequent crime is not common at that Walmart.

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Men fire gun during shoplifting of TV at Dallas Walmart

Occurred November 18, 2014.


Two men went into a Walmart store in Dallas and attempted to shoplift a TV.  When store security confronted the men, the men threatened the employees with a gun and fired the gun in the air, then fled.

A police chase ensued, eventually capturing both suspects, one of whom accidentally fired his gun.

From an article and news video:
It started at the Walmart in Cedar Hill and ended near Interstate 20 on Camp Wisdom Road in Southwest Dallas.
Police say two men each stole a television from the store around 2:15 a.m. and employees chased them into the parking lot. One suspect showed an employee his gun and fired it into the air.
No one was hurt, but Dallas police say the suspects sped away in a green Toyota Camry.
Cedar Hill officers caught up with them six blocks away and chased them into a Southwest Dallas neighborhood, where the men crashed into a parked car and a fence.
The suspects ran away from the scene while the Dallas Police Department's helicopter and Cedar Hill's K-9 unit were dispatched. A police K-9 found one of the suspects; the chopper found the other.
The second suspect's gun discharged by accident while he was arrested, but no one was injured.

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Two Walmart employees robbed at gunpoint at store parking lot in Texas

Occurred November 12, 2014.


Two Walmart employees were leaving their store in Houston, Texas, when two gunmen held them up and robbed them in the parking lot.

The suspects fled, but were soon captured by police.

No one was injured.

From an article:
Houston police said officers were quick to respond to reports of a robbery in the parking lot of a north side Walmart store.
The robbery happened around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday along the North Freeway at Crosstimbers.
The victims, who work at the store, told police that two men approached them at gunpoint and demanded their belongings and money. The suspects then jumped in a pickup and sped away.
Responding officers spotted the truck and took two suspects into custody. The victims' belongings were found inside the vehicle, police said.
No injuries were reported.

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Former Sheriff's deputy fires shotgun into Georgia Walmart store

Occurred November 5, 2014.


A former Richmond County Sheriff's Deputy, Jessie Jackson, was caught firing a shotgun into a Walmart store in Augusta, Georgia, hitting the Garden Center, as well as into a Dollar Store.  Motive is unclear.  He was tased and captured.

The shotgun may have belonged to the Sheriff's Office.

From an article:
We are told Jessie Jackson was arrested early Wednesday morning after he reportedly fired a weapon in the Walmart store located on Deans Bridge Road, in Augusta.

Jackson has been charged with two felony counts: Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd Degree, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Crime.

This incident took place at approximately 3:50 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Jackson was reportedly observed by Richmond County deputies as he fired a 12 gauge shotgun into the garden center area of the store. Jackson then attempted to leave and failed to stop at deputies' commands. Jackson was “tased” to gain compliance and was taken into custody at the scene. ....

Investigators suspected the Remington model 870 .12 gauge shotgun was possibly a Sheriff's Office weapon, and followed up by checking inventory records and utilizing the electronic trace (e-trace) system from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
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Two shoplifters threaten Utah Walmart employee with handgun

Occurred November 3, 2014.


Two men, Tonga Angilau and Ammon Faamausili, both age 20, shoplifted from a Walmart store in West Jordan, Utah.  When confronted by security, they threatened the security guard with a handgun before fleeing.  

The two men were also responsible for shoplifting at another area Walmart Neighborhood Market.

Both men were arrested after one turned himself in.

From an article:
Tonga Angilau, 20, told investigators he confessed because of the media attention in the case, police said.
Ammon Faamausili, 20, robbed Wal-Mart with Angilau and was arrested Wednesday afternoon before Angilau turned himself in, according to West Jordan police.
The first robbery occurred Monday at the Wal-Mart at 7671 S. Campus View Drive, according to West Jordan police. The two men attempted to leave the store with unpaid merchandise and when a store security officer confronted the men, Angilau punched the employee repeatedly, police said. Faamausili, who was wearing a dark hoodie, displayed a handgun before the men fled.
The men then went to the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market at 3706 W. 9800 South and left with a cart full of miscellaneous items they hadn’t paid for, according to South Jordan police. One of the suspects ran at a store employee that followed the men out of the store, punching them to the ground.
Faamausili and Angilau were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail Wednesday in connection with two counts of robbery.

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Woman robbed at gunpoint at Oklahoma City Walmart store

Occurred October 31, 2014.


A woman was in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Oklahoma City when a man robbed her at gunpoint, then fled the scene.  Luckily she was not injured.

From an article:
Early Wednesday morning, a woman was getting into her car at the Walmart near Reno and MacArthur when a man allegedly walked up to her, shoved a black handgun into her stomach and demanded cash.
The woman told officials the suspect grabbed her Michael Kors wallet, then apologized to her, saying he was desperate for money.
A witness says the suspect got away in a four-door black vehicle with the letter “H” on the back.
The suspect is described as a white male in his early twenties with a light build and blonde hair.
According to authorities, the victim’s credit card was used about an hour later at a Hinton convenience store.

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Three gunmen rob safe from New Mexico Walmart and shoot at store

Occurred October 29, 2014.
Photo of one of the gunmen at Albuquerque Walmart (source)



Three men entered a Walmart store in Albuquerque, New Mexico and stole a cash drop safe from the store while threatening Walmart employees, then fired a shot back at the store with a firearm.

Luckily no one was injured.

From an article and news video:
Albuquerque police are looking for three men who stole the cash drop safe from the Wal-Mart at 400 Eubank NE just after midnight early Wednesday morning.
APD spokesperson Tanner Tixier said the men, who were armed, demanded the large safe from managers, who complied.
The suspects then took the safe out of the store and loaded it onto the back of a white '90s model Ford Ranger with an extended cab. Tixier said the truck also had a blue stripe along the bottom of it.
One of the suspects allegedly fired a shot back at the store as they fled in the truck, but no one was injured.
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Man steals muzzle loading rifle from Virginia Walmart store

Occurred October 12, 2014.


A man entered a Walmart store in Amherst County, Virginia, went to the Sporting Goods section, disabled the security system on a case, and stole a muzzle loading rifle, then fled the store.

From an article:
The incident happened at 12:47 a.m. Sunday, October 12. Deputies said a man entered the grocery-side entrance of the store, disabled the security system on the item, and took the muzzle loading rifle from Sporting Goods. 
The suspect is described as a white male, in his late teens or early twenties. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, with the hood up, blue jeans and brown work boots.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Gunman robs Texas Walmart

Occurred October 9, 2014.


A man robbed a Walmart cashier at gunpoint, at a store in Crowley, Texas, before fleeing with money.  Luckily, no shots were fired.

From an article:
Crowley police are asking for the public’s help in finding the man who robbed a Walmart cashier at gunpoint Thursday afternoon.
The robbery was at 1:15 p.m. at the Walmart at 1221 E. Farm Road 1187, according to a Crowley news release.
The man left the big-box store in a dark blue GMC Yukon SUV, police said.
He is black, 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 9, wearing sunglasses, a dark-colored baseball cap with a silver emblem above the bill, a white T-shirt, gray long sleeve shirt, dark blue jeans and brown “work-type” boots.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article3877063.html#storylink=cpy
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Man steals two rifles from Virginia Walmart

Occurred September 17, 2014.


Jake A. DiFolco entered a Walmart store in Virginia Beach, Virginia, went to the sporting goods section, then stole two rifles from the display case.

He was later reported to the police and arrested.

From an article:
According to police, Jake A. DiFolco entered Walmart on Nimmo Parkway around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 and was able to take two rifles from the sporting goods section.
Police said DiFolco was identified 30 minutes after the story was reported by local media.
DiFolco is charged with grand larceny and was released on bond.

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Shots fired in Wisconsin Walmart parking lot

Occurred December 21, 2014.


Shots were reported fired in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Luckily, no injuries were reported.

From an article:
Shots were fired in the parking lot of Walmart in West Milwaukee Sunday afternoon, but no one was hurt.
Police were called after several shots were fired in the parking lot of the store, 4140 W. Greenfield Ave., shortly before 3 p.m. The shooters fled in a dark-colored four-door sedan.
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Virginia Walmart shopper unintentionally shoots himself in car while in parking lot

Occurred December 20, 2014.
Scene of accidental shooting at Norfolk Walmart (screenshot source)



A man was driving his car in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Norfolk, Virginia, when he unintentionally shot himself with his own gun.

From an article:
Police are investigating a shooting at a Norfolk Walmart Saturday afternoon.
It happened around 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the store on Tidewater Drive, according to authorities. Police have not said exactly what happened, but sources tell 10 On Your Side the man accidentally shot himself while driving.
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Four gunmen rob a victim during a drug deal in a North Carolina Walmart parking lot

Occurred December 16, 2014.


A drug deal was going down in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Monkey Junction, North Carolina, when things went bad.  Four men pulled handguns and robbed a victim while in a car.  Police responded soon after and arrested the four men.

From an article and news video:
Deputies said they received information of a drug deal going on in the parking lot of Walmart and Murphy gas station on Monday. Deputies said they stopped the vehicle and detained five people.
While conducting their investigation deputies say they discovered that four of the suspects had pulled handguns on one individual in attempt to rob him. The suspects have been identified as Tamrick Hobley, 20, Joseph Hanible, 28, Matthew Rousey, 19, and Demetrius Campbell, 23. They are facing various charges including kidnapping, drug charges and assault.
Deputies placed the four suspects under arrest and transported them to the New Hanover County Detention Facility.
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Off-duty policeman shoots shoplifter at Texas Walmart after being stabbed

Occurred December 16, 2014.
Scene of shooting at Dallas Walmart (screenpic source)




An off-duty officer, Larry Moody, in full uniform, was working security at a Dallas, Texas, Walmart store when he confronted a shoplifter, 33-year old Jonathan Puckett.  Puckett stabbed Officer Moody in the hand, at which point Moody pulled his gun and shot Puckett in the leg.

From an article:
The incident happened just after midnight at the Walmart store on Retail Road, in the northeast part of the city.
Police said that the officer tried to stop a man who was accused of shoplifting. But the suspect stabbed the officer in the left hand. The officer responded by pulled out his weapon and firing at the suspect, striking him in the leg.
Authorities did not say what the suspect was trying to steal.
The suspect was taken to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas in stable condition. The officer was transported to Baylor Medical Center at Dallas and is expected to be okay. No names have been released.
Additional details HERE.

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Suicidal Walmart employee shot by officers in Toronto, Canada

Occurred December 18, 2014.


A Walmart store employee was behind the store in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when police responded to an attempted suicide-by-knife.  The responding officers got into a confrontation with the man, possibly with the employee threatening them with the knife, who was then shot twice in the abdomen by the officers.

The man is now in critical condition.

From an article:
Police were dispatched to the store, near Kennedy Rd. and Sheppard Ave. E., after receiving a call about a man cutting his own wrists and throat with a large butcher knife, a police spokesperson told the Star.
“There was an interaction between the police and the man, resulting in the man being shot,” Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said in a statement.
The SIU, which probes police-related incidents involving death, serious injury and allegations of sexual assault, is investigating the shooting.
Paramedics arrived on scene to find the man in life-threatening condition, suffering from two gunshot wounds to his abdomen. He was rushed to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre with a police escort.
According to a Walmart employee, who did not want to be identified, the man was behind the store, near the loading dock area south of Bonis Ave., when the shooting took place.
The employee was told by a store manager that the man was on his break when the shooting occurred.
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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Man shot in the abdomen during fight at Kentucky Walmart

Occurred December 8, 2014.
Scene of shooting at Manchester Walmart (source)



Two men, Michael Edwards (picture HERE) and Richard Lawson, got into an argument and fight over a property matter in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Manchester, Kentucky.  Edwards assaulted Lawson, left the scene, then returned with a handgun, shooting Lawson twice in the abdomen.

Edwards fled, but was soon captured by police after trying to ditch one of the three guns in his possession.

Lawson went into surgery, considered critically injured, but is recovering.

From an article and news video:
"I'm at Wal-Mart, two men are fighting in the parking lot,” a caller tells the Manchester 911 dispatcher.
Police say one of them, Michael Edwards, assaulted Richard Lawson then left the area.
“After the first altercation a number of people came to help Mr. Lawson. Michael Edwards then returned with a handgun, people began to scatter,” said Manchester Assistant Chief Patrick Robinson.
Callers to the 911 center then noticed the shooting and called for help.
"We have gentlemen fighting in the parking lot. He has a pistol on him,” said another caller.
“I've got the police on the way,” replied the dispatcher.
“He's in the center of the parking lot.He's got a weapon let them know,” said the caller.
Police say both men were arguing over a property matter.
"Where one claims he owns the property, the other claims he owns it,” said Robinson.
Police say they were to settle the dispute in court Monday yet they met outside Wal-Mart instead.
"Michale Edwards shot Richard Lawson twice in the abdomen,” said Robinson.
Edwards was spotted and he tried to throw one of three guns out of his car window. He was taken to jail and charged with assault. Lawson was airlifted to UK.
“He was to undergo surgery to remove one of the bullets,” said Robinson.
Police say Edwards will face attempted murder and wanton endangerment charges as well.
According to an article, the fight was over a multi-year land dispute.

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Teen accidentally shoots himself in South Dakota Walmart parking lot

Occurred December 6, 2014.
Scene of shooting at Sioux Falls Walmart parking lot (source)



A 17-year old boy was shot in the leg in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

From an article:
Officers were dispatched to 301 S. Sycamore Avenue in response to a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers made contact with a juvenile male who told them he had just been shot in the leg at Walmart on 5521 E. Arrowhead Pkwy.
The juvenile was transported to Avera Hospital and was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Police blocked off a large portion of the east side Walmart parking lot for several hours Saturday evening to investigate.
According to another article, the teen had been waiting in a car while his mother was shopping in Walmart and had access to an unlocked, loaded, .22 handgun.  Handling the gun, he unintentionally shot himself, though he had initially told police and his mother that the shooting had been the result of a robbery.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.  

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Gunman robs Florida Walmart liquor store and pistol whips employee

Occurred December 5, 2014.

A man entered a Walmart liquor store in Winter Haven, Florida, pulled out a handgun, and threatened two Walmart employees with it, robbing the store then pistol-whipping on of the employees before fleeing.

From an article:
Police say around 12:31 p.m., a man walked into the Walmart Liquor store at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd. and walked briefly around the store in an obvious attempt to see if there were any other customers present.
He then approached one counter, placing a small item to be scanned and immediately pulled a gun on the clerk. As the 75-year-old male clerk tried to open the drawer, the suspect hit him on the side of the head knocking him to the ground.
The suspect then turned to the 50-year-old female clerk directly behind him and demanded she open her drawer, which she attempts to do. The suspect then hit the female clerk two times on the side of the head and left the store empty-handed.
Both clerks were taken to Winter Haven Hospital to be treated for lacerations to the head. Both are expected to make a full recovery.

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Man steals realistic Airsoft gun from Ohio Walmart then uses it to rob a bank

Occurred December 5, 2014.


A man shoplifted a realistic-looking Airsoft pellet gun from an Englewood, Ohio, Walmart store.  He then used the gun to rob a nearby credit union.

From an article:

Englewood Police Sgt. Michael Lang said the suspect was shown on surveillance video before the robbery at a nearby Walmart shoplifting an Airsoft gun and purchasing a T-shirt. He next went to Murphy Oil and purchased gas before crossing the street and robbing the credit union.

Lang says they believe the shoplifted gun was used in the robbery soon after at Wright-Patt Credit Union on Hoke Road.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Armed robbery by gunman at California Walmart

Occurred December 1, 2014.


A man had just finished shopping at a Walmart store in Richmond, California, when he was robbed at gunpoint by three men in the parking lot.

The men fled.  One may have been apprehended by police later after ditching the gun in .  The other two escaped.

From an article:
The armed robbery happened around 11:40 p.m. in the 1400 block of Hilltop Mall Road just after the victim left the nearby Walmart, Richmond police Sgt. Nicole Abetkov said.
An officer canvassing the neighborhood after the robbery spotted a man who matched the description of one of the suspects and attempted to stop him, Abetkov said.
She said the man fled from the officer and tossed a handgun along the way.
The officer apprehended the man, but the victim in the robbery was unable to positively identify him as one of the suspects in the robbery, Abetkov said.
The man, whose name was not immediately available, was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a gun.
The two armed robbery suspects remain at large.



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Argument leads to fatal shooting outside a Texas Walmart

Occurred December 10, 2014.
Scene of fatal shooting at Stafford Walmart (source)


(UPDATED -- See below)

A man was shopping at a Walmart store in Stafford, Texas, with his wife and young daughter when he got into an argument with another shopper.

The argument continued outside, where the other shopper pulled out a handgun and shot the man in the neck and chest.  The shooter fled, and the victim died at the hospital.

From an article:
Police said the man was shopping with his wife and young daughter when he got into an argument inside the store with another shopper.  
The argument continued outside the store when the other shopper pulled out a gun and shot the man, said police. 
Sources tell Local 2 the man was shot in the neck and chest. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital where he died. 
The shooter fled the scene; police are currently following some leads and reviewing surveillance video to try and get a description of him and his vehicle.
Yvette Gentry was working inside the store when she heard several gunshots.

"I was inside working register seven when I heard three shots and then I saw a guy running in, full of blood,” she said. “When I walked around there was a whole lot of blood right in front of that window. There's a whole lot of blood."
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UPDATE (12/23/14):   According to another article, the shooting victim has been identified as 35-year-old Christian Eduardo Cardoza.  A 19-year old suspect, Antonio De la Cruz, has been arrested for the shooting.  More details from the article:

Investigators with the Stafford Police Department said that when the Cardoza family left the store De La Cruz and his friends were waiting for them in the parking lot. They began attacking the women and two teens.
Cardoza was waiting in the parking lot for his family. When he saw what was happening, he ran to help.
Police say De La Cruz shot him at least twice as his wife and kids watched in horror.
Cardoza was rushed to Southwest Memorial Hermann but he didn't survive.
.

Two boys steal realistic-looking BB gun from Florida Walmart and use it to rob and shoot pizza driver

Occurred December 2, 2014.


Two boys, ages 12 and 13, stole a realistic-looking BB gun from an Ocala, Florida, Walmart store. They then used the gun to threaten, rob, and shoot a pizza delivery drive and shoot out his window.

From an article:
According to the report, the two masked juveniles pointed BB guns at the driver's chest, stated "Gimme what ya got," to which the driver replied, "I ain't givin you (expletive)."
The driver told police the juveniles then started shooting him with BB guns and shattered his rear window as he was driving away.
A 13-year-old involved was found in the area with BBs and an air cartridge in his pocket, according to the report. The teen told police he had gone with the other juveniles to Walmart and stolen several BB guns.
The two other juveniles, both of whom were 12 years old, were taken into custody at Ocala Police Department.
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Shots fired outside a Virginia Walmart store

Occurred December 2, 2014.
Scene of shots fired at Hampton Walmart (source)



Shots were fired outside a Walmart store in Hampton, Virginia.

From an article:

Hampton Police were dispatched around 10:33 a.m. Tuesday for a reported shooting at the Walmart along the 1900 block of Cunningham Drive. At this time, it remains unclear who called in the shooting.
Cpl. Mary Shackelford with Hampton Police told WAVY.com there were no victims and no property was struck. Shackelford confirmed the incident is being investigated as “discharging a firearm in public,” as the incident occurred in the parking lot outside of the business.
An additional article and news video.

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Monday, December 1, 2014

Massachusetts couple purchase realistic-looking pellet gun at Walmart then rob the store with it

Occurred November 8, 2014.


A couple, Molly K. McKeen, 25, and Cortez D. Palmer, 37, walked into a Walmart store in Oxford, Massachusetts, and purchased, among other things, a realistic-looking pellet gun.

Shortly after leaving the store, Palmer returned and used the gun to threaten a Walmart clerk, demanding money.  The couple then fled.  Many other stores were also robbed, possibly with the same pellet gun.

From an article:
Molly K. McKeen, 25, of 6 Knox St., Worcester; and Cortez D. Palmer, 37, of 68 Merrick St., Worcester, allegedly entered the Walmart in Oxford on Nov. 8 and made several purchases, including a pellet gun, the affidavits on file in Central District Court said.

Surveillance footage obtained from the store shows Ms. McKeen using a debit/credit card to make the purchases. The two left the store, but Mr. Palmer returned with a black handgun, which authorities believe was the pellet gun just purchased, the records said.

Mr. Palmer is accused of approaching the guest services counter and telling the clerk to look down. He allegedly showed the clerk the handgun and demanded cash. The robbery netted $8,681, the affidavits said.

Ms. McKeen has been arraignedon a charge of unarmed robbery. Mr. Palmer faces several counts of unarmed robbery and one count of armed robbery in connection with a cluster of robberies in Worcester and other area towns. He also has been arraigned in Central District Court.

Worcester police said they linked six robberies to one or all of the suspects. Mr. Palmer allegedly robbed multiple supermarkets, a Walmart and one Dunkin' Donuts in the city from September to November.
Realistic-looking pellet guns have been used in numerous gun crimes at Walmart stores.

Despite this history, Walmart continues to sell many models of realistic-looking pellet, BB, and toy guns.

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Saturday, November 29, 2014

Judge orders Walmart to let NYC church challenge gun sales

November 2014.

(UPDATED -- See below)

Walmart doesn't like to advertise that they sell semi-auto assault rifles -- lethal weapons designed for only one purpose: to kill large numbers of humans as quickly as possible.

They don't even want to advertise it to their stockholders.  In fact, they have resisted calls to bring the issue to a vote at stockholder meetings.

Now a federal judge has ruled that they have to bring up the issue at their next stockholder meeting.  This was brought up last April by a New York church which is also a major stockholder of the company.

Perhaps many stockholders are unaware that Walmart currently sells five different models of assault rifles?

Or that assault rifles have been stolen, sometimes in large numbers, from Walmart stores, or used in crimes at their stores?  See HERE for plenty of examples.  There was a report this week, in fact, of an AR-15 rifle stolen right out of the display case, which a man stuffed into his clothes and walked out of the store with, unhindered.  HERE's a case from this year where nine assault rifles were stolen.  HERE's another from this year where six were stolen.

Over 122,000 people have signed a petition urging Walmart to stop sales of assault rifles.

Walmart already bans a lot of different products it considers "harmful," including CDs, books, the morning after pill, and even a pregnant Barbie doll.  So why then does it continue to sell weapons designed to kill people?

From an article:

U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark in Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday said the world's largest retailer wrongly excluded such a proposal from Trinity Church, a historic Wall Street church, from its June 6 annual meeting.
Stark also granted Trinity an injunction preventing Wal-Mart from excluding the proposal from proxy materials for its 2015 annual meeting, saying a vote would serve the public interest.
The proposal would require the governance committee of Wal-Mart's board to more closely examine the sale of products that might endanger public safety, hurt Wal-Mart's reputation, or offend "family and community values" integral to the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company's brand.
Trinity said these products might include guns with clips holding more than 10 rounds, a type it said "enabled" mass killings in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado; or music that depicts sex or violence. It said Wal-Mart already limits sales of such music.

The April 1 lawsuit was filed two weeks after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a "no action" letter signaling it would not punish Wal-Mart for excluding the proposal.
Stark said that while it was too late to do anything about the 2014 annual meeting, the SEC letter did not end the matter. He went on to reject Wal-Mart's argument that Trinity's proposal was too vague, potentially covering a broad swath of products. 
"The proposal does not dictate any particular outcome or micro-manage Wal-Mart's day-to-day business," Stark wrote. 
Wal-Mart spokesman Randy Hargrove said the retailer may appeal the decision.

UPDATE (12/9/14):  Read a statement from the plaintiff, Trinity Church, HERE.

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Thursday, November 27, 2014

TV shoplifters threaten Walmart employee with gun in Indiana

Occurred November 27, 2014.


Two men were seen stealing a TV from a Walmart store in Indianapolis, Indiana.  When a door greeter confronted the men, they pulled a gun on him and threatened him with it before fleeing.

From an article:
According to police, two men skipped the cash register and walked out with an $800 television. When confronted by the Wal-Mart greeters, one of the suspects pulled out a gun. The two men then made a dash to a dark-colored SUV.
Wal-Mart released photos of the suspects.
Many shoppers had no knowledge of the armed robbery inside the store as they did their last minute Thanksgiving day shopping.

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AR-15 assault rifle and ammo stolen from North Carolina Walmart

Occurred November 25, 2014.


A man walked into a Walmart store in Asheville, North Carolina, broke into a display case, and stole an AR-15 assault rifle and 150 rounds of ammo, stuffed it in his clothing, and calmly walked out with them.

From an article:
City police are asking for help finding a suspect who stole an assault-style rifle and 150 rounds of ammunition from Walmart on Airport Road.
The thief broke into a locked gun cabinet in the sporting goods section of the store about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Asheville police Sgt. Dave Romick said.
Video surveillance shows the man stealing an AR-15 rifle, then "stuffing the rifle down his pants and exiting the store," Romick said.
The suspect is described as white and 30-35 years old. He is believed to be 5-feet-8 to 5-feet-10 and 150 pounds with short brown hair. He was wearing a white and blue baseball cap, white T-shirt, blue jeans and a black jacket. The suspect may be traveling in a white, newer model, four-door sedan.
The rifle and ammo were valued at $920, according to a police report.
An additional news article and video.

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