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.


Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

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.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.


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.
. 

12-year old younger brother of Walmart shoplifter threatens employee with realistic-looking pellet gun

Occurred on March 12, 2014.


A 19-year old man, Quaze Lanehart, was caught shoplifting electronic goods from a Walmart in Rochester Hills, Michigan. When confronted by store security, the man threatened them with scissors.  When they followed him out to the parking lot, Lanehart's 12-year old brother threatened the employees with a handgun.  

The pair were arrested.  The gun turned out to be a realistic-looking Airsoft pellet gun.

From an article and news video:

Lanehart first was spotted in the Walmart's electronics department. He allegedly was loading up his cart with pricey TVs and notebooks. Instead of paying, he just pushed the cart outside.

"He went past all of the points to pay and was on his way out," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. 

Store security spotted him and brought him back inside for questioning. Police say that's when things got out of hand.

"He grabbed a pair of scissors and threatened to kill the store employees that were trying to detain him," said Bouchard.

Security followed Lanehart outside. Then, Walmart employees witnessed a real shocker. Lanehart's 12-year-old brother stepped out of a car pointing his airsoft gun at employees. The weapon looked like the real deal.

The boy allegedly told security to step back or they would be shot.

"Obviously that child is in a path with a very, very bad ending because of his relatives or whoever he is hanging around with. So hopefully this will be some intervention for the 12-year-old to get him on a different path," said Bouchard. "The 19-year-old has got a lot of serious charges."

Lanehart will be in court on Thursday facing felonious assault and theft charges. The 12-year-old boy was handed over to his parents. He likely will face some charges in juvenile court.

Lanehart was wanted on a domestic violence charge.

Pellet guns aren't toys, and are used often to intimidate, injure, rob, or even kill.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Teenage shoplifter opens fire on shoppers at South Carolina Walmart

Occurred February 23, 2014.

Scene of shooting at Easley Walmart (source)

A 14-year old boy was caught shoplifting at a Walmart store in Easley, South Carolina.  When a loss-prevention chased him out of a store, along with a couple of shoppers, the boy opened fire on those other shopper with a 9 mm handgun.

Luckily no one was hurt.  Officers were already on the scene and arrested the boy.

From an article:

The loss prevention officer had suspected the teen was shoplifting and approached him inside the store, Miller said.

"They were going to question him and call us, so we could take him into custody, but then he pulled out a gun," said Miller.

As the teen ran out of the store, officers heard two gunshots, and people shouting, “He has a gun,” according to Miller.

The teen fired at two innocent bystanders, who tried to help security catch the teen said Miller.  Once outside the store in the parking lot, investigators said the teen turned and fire two shots at those men.

"Nobody was injured," said Miller.  "There was actually a fragment recovered from the wall of Walmart."

Officers were able to catch up to and disarm the teen, who was carrying a 9 mm handgun, according to Miller.

The teen faces two counts of attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of marijuana.  More  charges are pending, Miller said.

"We continue to investigate how the boy got the gun and who drove him to the Walmart," said Miller.

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


Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Petition urging Walmart to stop selling guns for children

Despite Walmart having an awful record with gun violence, as this blog shows, they nonetheless continue to sell firearms.  

Sadly, one market that they sell firearms to is children.  Yes, children.  No, they don't sell them directly to kids, but rather to the parents for use by the children.  

Sensible people know that guns don't belong in the hands of small children, but that doesn't stop pro-gun extremists from arming their kids, nor does it stop Walmart from selling guns to them for that purpose.

Crickett is a company that makes such guns and directly markets them to children.  See HERE for examples of their marketing, and HERE to see one of their commercials.  The guns come in neato colors, making them look like toys.  There's even pink for little girls.  And Walmart is all too happy to help sell them.  From an article:

On its website, Wal-Mart markets the Crickett as a "youth rifle," while Gander Mountain's site describes it as a "great beginner's gun."

"All are lightweight and easy for youngsters to carry at the range and in the woods," reads the Crickett description on Cabela's site, which describes it as "a fun firearm to get your young shooter started with."

Wal-Mart did not immediately comment on whether their policy on sales of guns for children would change.

2-year old Carolyn Starks and her 5-year old brother

Here's a case where one of those .22-caliber Cricket rifles was used by a 5-year old boy to kill his 2-year old sister, Carolyn Starks.

The Coalition Against Gun Violence has launched a petition urging Walmart to stop this sickening sale of guns for small children.  I urge you to sign it.

From their page:

A new study shows that 20 children and teens are hospitalized every day for gun injuries in the United States.³ Nearly 2,700 children and teens died from gun-related injuries in 2010. U.S. children and teens are 17 times more likely to die from a gun than their peers in 25 other high-income countries combined.⁴

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made it clear that “the safest home for children is one without a gun.”⁵ According to a past president of the AAP, “Firearm injuries are often fatal—there are few second chances. Young children are curious, and are often unable to remember or follow safety rules. Older children and teens naturally tend to be moody and impulsive. When you combine these traits with access to guns, the consequences can be tragic and permanent.”

Please sign the petition, and let's bring some sense to Walmart.  Otherwise, they will continue to be dealers of death.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Maine caller phones Walmart asking to buy assault weapon "for school tomorrow"

Occurred November 14, 2013.


A young man called the Walmart store in Newport, Maine, asking if they sold assault rifles, stating, "I need it for school tomorrow."  Upon transfer to the sporting goods department (!), he hung up before transfer was complete. No caller ID was determined.

As a result, area schools and police were put on alert.

From an article:

Newport and Pittsfield schools were placed on alert Friday after a young male called a local Walmart on Thursday, asked if the store sold assault rifles and reportedly said, “I need it for school tomorrow,” according to Newport police. 

Newport police Chief Leonard Macdaid said security at Walmart in Palmyra called him on Thursday afternoon to report the call made to the store. 

“He asked if they had assault rifles there,” Macdaid said on Friday morning. “When the lady told him, ‘I’m not sure, I’ll transfer you to sporting goods,’ the young male said, ‘I need it for school tomorrow.’” 

Macdaid said the young male hung up before the transfer was complete and no caller ID was available. 

“We have no idea where the call came from,” said Macdaid. “We’re erring on the side of caution and have put out a statewide police bulletin.” 

Maine State Police and Pittsfield police were also made aware of the indirect threat, said Macdaid. 

The woman at Walmart said the young male who called “wasn’t irate or threatening. He was talking calmly,” said Macdaid. 

All eight of RSU 19’s schools began operating their “shelter in place” procedures, Superintendent Greg Potter said Friday. The schools are controlling access to buildings and are restricting outdoor activities. The procedures may continue into next week, he said.

Read more here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/11/14/2797650/shots-fired-in-airport-thruway.html#storylink=cpy

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Elderly woman robbed at gunpoint in Wyoming Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 10, 2013.

(UPDATED -- See below)
Three suspects, including a 16-year old boy, robbed an elderly woman of her purse, at gunpoint, in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Riverton, Wyoming, in order to get "gas money."  The boy, Adrian Joseph Sixfeathers, was the robber with the gun.

A police chase ensued, and all three were arrested.

The gun turned out to be a realistic-looking pellet gun.

From an article:

In interviews with investigators, Underwood said she, Sixfeathers and Oldman had been involved in the robbery. 

She said Sixfeathers had suggested the three suspects go to Walmart on Sunday afternoon so he could "grab a bag" from someone. 

"Underwood knew that the purpose was to get gas money," Riverton Police Department Detective Scott Gardner said in his affidavit. 

The trio drove to the store in a silver Chevy Monte Carlo, and Underwood said she parked the car in the lot. 

She said Sixfeathers got out of the vehicle and ran back a short time later with a purse.
"(He) told her to 'go go go,'" Gardner said. 

According to witnesses and video footage, the teen had drawn a gun on a 64-year-old Riverton woman on the northwest side of the parking lot, threatening to shoot her if she didn't give him her purse. 

Gardner said the woman had been leaving the store with her purchased items when Sixfeathers approached her, "pulled a black handgun out and pulled the slide back." 

The woman was not injured in the incident. .... 

After acquiring the handbag, all three suspects reportedly left the area headed south on Federal Boulevard in the Monte Carlo. A witness called police and described the vehicle, which reportedly was missing its back window. 

"The back window (was) broken out with dark plastic covering the window," Gardner wrote.
The caller also identified the suspect vehicle's license plate number. 

Gardner said RPD officer Amy Luton tried to stop the car near the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and East Monroe Avenue, but Underwood failed to yield. 

"(The Monte Carlo) increased speed and continued southbound towards the Wind River Indian Reservation," Gardner wrote. 

Luton pursued the vehicle, which eventually stopped in the 1400 block of 17 Mile Road, about five miles west of Wyoming Highway 789. 

Sixfeathers and Oldman reportedly ran from the car, headed southwest through a field. Gardner said officers engaged in a foot pursuit and eventually apprehended both subjects. 

"Sixfeathers ... was observed throwing an object, later identified as a pellet gun," Gardner wrote. "The pellet gun had the appearance of a semi-automatic handgun." 

The robbery victim later identified the weapon as the one Sixfeathers reportedly used in the Walmart parking lot. 

Gardner said Underwood stayed in the Monte Carlo during the foot chase and surrendered to police. Officers said they found the 64-year-old woman's purse in the vehicle.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.


UPDATE (12/20/13):  The teen robber, Sixfeathers, is being charged as an adult:

The 16-year-old who allegedly robbed a woman in the Walmart parking lot using a pellet gun on Nov. 10 is being charged as an adult and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. .... 

According to court documents, the victim told police that after purchasing item in the store and walking to her vehicle when a male subject approached. 

“She stated that the suspect pulled a black handgun out and pulled the slide back,” states the affidavit. “The suspect then pointed the gun to her head and said ‘I’m going to shoot you if you don’t give me your purse.’ She then gave the suspect her purse.” 

The court documents state the woman was able to give a description of the get-away vehicle used, and RPD Officer Amy Luton observed it traveling southbound on Federal Boulevard shortly after the 911 call. The vehicle failed to stop for the officer, and a pursuit continued onto the Wind River Indian Reservation until the suspect vehicle stopped on the 1400 block of 17 Mile Road. 

Two men, later identified as Oldman and Sixfeathers allegedly fled the vehicle. Sixfeathers was observed throwing a pellet gun, which resembled a semi-automatic handgun. Both men were detained, and the victim identified the gun thrown as the one used in the robbery. 

Underwood reportedly remained in the driver’s seat after the vehicle stopped. 

“Underwood admitted during question that she, Adrian Joseph Sixfeathers and Curtis Oldman were involved in the robbery at Wal-Mart,” states the affidavit. “She advised that prior to the robbery she, Sixfeathers, and Oldman were attempting to sell I-pods at the ‘Game Stop’ in Riverton. At that time, Sixfeathers, suggested that they go to Wal-Mart and he would ‘grab a bag’ from someone. Underwood knew that the purpose was to get gas money. She stated that the three went to Wal-Mart and then she parked the car. Sixfeathers got out of the vehicle and ran back a short time later with a purse and told her to ‘go, go, go.’” 

The affidavit also states that the victim’s purse was found in the vehicle driven by Underwood, and that the victim positively identified Sixfeathers as the one who robbed her.

.

Three teen shoplifters rob California Walmart at gunpoint

Occurred November 1, 2013.


Three teens, a girl and two boys, were caught shoplifting by store security.  When confronted, one boy pulled out a handgun and threatened the employees.  The teens then beat the employees and fled.  All three were later captured.

From an article:

The three suspects were confronted by Walmart security for shoplifting, but they refused to comply and “began physically resisting,” Devinny continued.  

“One of the male suspects pulled out a black handgun and brandished it. One Walmart security officer was hit over the head and another officer was punched," he reported. 

The three suspects then fled the scene in a tan sports utility vehicle, the sergeant continued.
A few minutes later that SUV was spotted in a restaurant parking lot at Dinah Shore and George Montgomery Way in Rancho Mirage. 

“Two of the three suspects were located and detained; the third was located hiding in the bathroom of another restaurant nearby. The three were positively identified by witnesses and arrested,” Devinny reported. 

“One of the suspects admitted he had a gun but stated it was a BB gun and he threw it out the window after leaving Walmart. An extensive search for the gun was conducted but it was never located,” according to Devinny’s report. 

The suspects were identified as a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female from Desert Hot Springs, along with a 17-year-old male from Palm Springs, the sergeant reported.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man unintentionally shot with shotgun by toddler son in Arkansas Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 2, 2013.


A man, Monty Wheeler, was in his truck in the parking lot of a Walmart in Russellville, Arkansas, when his toddler son climbed up the driver's side door and, unintentionally, pulled the trigger on a loaded, unsecured shotgun.  The gun discharged, striking Wheeler in the back.  The child was unharmed.  Wheeler is in stable condition.

From an article:

According to Public Information Officer Drew Latch, police responded to a call in the Arkansas Walmart parking lot at 11:04 a.m. on Saturday. When officers arrived, they found a man, identified as Monty Wheeler, who had been shot in the back. 

Upon further investigation, officers determined that the man had actually been shot by his child, age unknown, who attempted to enter his father’s truck by scaling up the driver’s side. The child accidentally grabbed hold of an unsecured and loaded shotgun, which discharged and struck his father in the back. 

Wheeler was transported to a local hospital and is said to be in stable condition.

Remember, every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Walmart sells lethal guns for kids, yet led the fight to ban candy cigarettes

From Keystone Sporting Arms "Kids Corner" gallery for their Crickett guns

Every day I see report after report of children killed by guns.  All too often, it is because a gun owner allowed their lethal weapon to be within reach of a child.

Most sane people understand that children are naturally curious, impetuous, and unable to fully consider the ramifications of their actions.  That's why there are age limits for so many things, such as entry into bars, driving, voting, purchasing liquor, or buying cigarettes.

Yet, for some bizarre reason, a certain subset of the population thinks that children should nonetheless be given access to guns.  REAL guns.  And not just given access, but even ownership.

It is to this subset that certain gun manufacturers actively market their lethal weapons for children.

A company called Keystone Sporting Arms manufactures and sells small rifles, including the .22 "Cricket", specifically to arm small children.  And by "small" I mean really, really young, like ages 4 or 5.  With nifty colors like pink to attract the children.  See them HERE or HERE.  It's sickening.  They market them with a slogan of "My first rifle."

One 5-year old boy recently used his "first rifle" (a .22 Cricket) to shoot and kill his 2-year old sister.  Keystone must be so proud.

They sell 60,000 of these guns a year...

And who re-sells these guns for them?  Why, Walmart, of course!  Don't believe me?  Go HERE to see for yourself.

Walmart's product page for a pink .22 Crickett gun for children

As I've pointed out before, Walmart bans all sorts of things that they deem "too dangerous" for children, including books, CDs (such as this one from Sheryl Crow), or even a pregnant Barbie doll.

A really ironic thing about this, as pointed out recently by Nash Riggins at HuffingtonPost.com, is that Walmart had previously been a leader in banning candy cigarette sales to children, understanding that candy cigarettes would break down that wall of prohibition in the mind of a child to smoking real cigarettes later in life.  From Nash's article, refering to the death of that 2-year old girl:

NRA members in Texas have already rationalized the young girl's death by shrugging that these weapons 'aren't toys,' and that it 'comes down to the responsibility of adults' to ensure that serious accidents are avoided. For once, they're absolutely right: guns are not toys, and it's the responsibility of adults everywhere to ensure that children aren't set up to make more fatal mistakes just because their gun-toting parents possess an innate desire to condition their children to adore firearms. After all, if candy cigarettes have been scientifically proven to hurt kids, what the hell do you think cute, pint-sized rifles do to them? Perhaps the next time America's biggest retailer campaigns to ban the sale of certain products in order to keep kids safe, it should look to its own sporting goods section.

Another article quotes the coroner and the 2-year old's grandmother:

“It’s a Crickett,” the coroner for Kentucky’s Cumberland County, Gary White, confirmed. “It’s a little rifle for a kid. The little boy’s used to shooting the little gun. Accidents happen with guns.” The victim’s grieving grandmother, Linda Riddle, said: “It was God’s will. It was her time to go, I guess. I just know she’s in heaven right now and I know she’s in good hands with the Lord.”

But it isn't "God's will" that took that child's life.  It was a bullet, from a gun, bought by the boy's parents, sold by Walmart and other distributors, for a gun manufacturer that specifically markets guns to little children.

Walmart will gladly stop the use of paring knives in all its bakeries because of one stupid mistake that almost endangered one child's life, but they will gladly continue selling guns for small children.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.