Wal-Mart worker dies after shoppers knock him down

by kate | November 28, 2008 at 09:54 am

2376 views | 99 Recommendations | 37 comments

I can't believe the depravity of our culture.

A worker died after being trampled by a throng of unruly shoppers when a suburban Wal-Mart opened for the holiday sales rush Friday, authorities said.

At least three other people were injured.

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Jarrett Martineau

at 10:01 on November 28th, 2008

This is absolutely outrageous and heartbreaking.

Amy Judd

at 10:02 on November 28th, 2008

Some more information:

Nassau County police said the 34-year-old Wal-Mart worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m. ET, an hour after the store opened.

A police statement said a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking him to the ground." The exact cause of death "will be determined by the medical examiner's office," the police stated.

A co-worker said the clerk was "bum-rushed by 200 people," according to the New York Daily News. "They took the doors off the hinges," said Jimmy Overby. "He was trampled and killed in front of me. They took me down too ... I literally had to fight people off my back."
Police added that "a 28-year-old pregnant female was also transported to an area hospital for observation."

Shopper Jessica Keyes told the Daily News that she saw the woman being knocked down near where the worker lay dying.

According to Keys, when paramedics arrived they told the woman that "there's nothing we can do. The baby is gone."

Amy Judd

at 10:03 on November 28th, 2008

This is terrible.

Unconfirmed reports also said that a pregnant woman miscarried when she was struck by the same throng of shoppers.

Jason Sanders

at 10:07 on November 28th, 2008

I can't believe this is what we've become.

Fairbanks

at 10:27 on November 28th, 2008

Jason, it has been like this since this tradition began. Total junglefight.

Jarrett Martineau

at 10:13 on November 28th, 2008

This level of frenzied American consumption is terrifying. Here are some videos of other Wal-Mart shopping nightmares on Black Friday 2008:

Wal-Mart Worker Dies After Being Trampled During 5AM Store-Opening Stampede

5AM Black Friday sale at Walmart (Baltimore, MD)

Zachary Walmart Black Friday (2008)

Fighting for an X-Box at Wal-Mart

Walmart black friday - crazy

Mary Richard

at 11:13 on November 28th, 2008

Insane! Some people are animals!

Gramma J. (not verified)

at 15:21 on November 29th, 2008

This insanity must stop! Wal Mart is fully negligible for these horrors we hear every year on this same day! They allow people to become frenzied with a mob mentality and do nothing to try and control it. For as much money they take in on that day alone, uniformed security should be placed at the doors. There should be orderly lines that wrap around the parking lot if neccesary.

I hope now that there have been deaths this year, it's not all for naught.

I refuse to shop at Wal Mart anymore, for their anti customer policies. It's all about the might buck for them now. Ol Sam is rolling in his grave.

Jarrett Martineau

at 10:20 on November 28th, 2008

The Wal-Mart "stampede" was photographed moments before the Long Island store where this incident occurred opened on Friday: Wal-Mart Stampede Photo Gallery

Amy Judd

at 10:41 on November 28th, 2008

The worker was an overnight store clerk who was simply trying to hold back the crowds before the doors officially opened at 5:00AM. According to Jimmy Overby, another employee at the store: "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me.

Jarrett Martineau

at 10:49 on November 28th, 2008

See NowPublic featured coverage of this tragic story:

NowPublic Wal-Mart Channel

Mary Richard

at 11:21 on November 28th, 2008

Hi Jarrett, if you're adding a Wal-Mart Channel, please add this link:

http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/

: )

Jarrett Martineau

at 12:19 on November 28th, 2008

Thanks for the link, we've updated the channel and added it.

ojt

at 10:54 on November 28th, 2008

this is awful... every year someone gets hurt with these "doorbuster" deals... these stores need to find a better way to control these large masses that come in for these "limited" deals.

Jarrett Martineau

at 10:59 on November 28th, 2008

hoping that the people who broke down the doors at Wal-mart are charged with involuntary manslaughter

Do you agree?

Adam Purple

at 11:15 on November 28th, 2008

This is sickening. Interesting how each year we hear of people being trampled while on holy pilgrimage to Mecca; somehow Walmart doesn't compare to any holy shrines I know of.

Amy Judd

at 12:51 on November 28th, 2008

Update on the pregnant woman and details of when the paramedics arrived:

The pregnant woman was knocked to the floor not far from the dying worker, a 34 year-old man. Jessica Keyes was among the shoppers and she told the Daily News, 'I saw a woman knocked down just a few feet from the dying worker. When the paramedics came, she said 'I'm pregnant." According to Keyes paramedics treated the woman inside the store and then, according to Keys, told the woman,"There's nothing we can do. The baby is gone."

Before police shut down the store, eager shoppers streamed past emergency crews as they worked furiously to save the store clerk's life. "They were working on him, but you could see he was dead, said Halcyon Alexander, 29. "People were still coming through." Reportedly, only a few would be shoppers stopped. The Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. Three other shoppers suffered minor injuries.

dysamoria

at 13:14 on November 28th, 2008

Please read the latest dysamoria entry... it might relate in some way and "help direct" your rage. I am a citizen of this disgusting country and I would disassemble it with my bare, bleeding knuckles if I could.

sick, filth, greed, pigs. UnUnited Sociopaths of North Amerika. The Union of Sociopathic A$$holes.

Jordan Yerman

at 13:15 on November 28th, 2008

What a horrible way to go. Just so pointless.

Barbara Mathieson

at 13:48 on November 28th, 2008

Can these shoppers be charged with murder? I would hate to live with the knowledge that my greed for an HDTV at an incredible low price caused someone's death.

Michelle M (not verified)

at 15:43 on November 28th, 2008

This should be a wake up call for people. When absolute greed overrides common decency for human life, it is time we step back and re examine our priorities. The actions of these ignorant, selfish people should be a warning for the kind of society we have become. Anytime a life is taken no matter the circumstances or the time of year, it is tragic, but to be killed during the holiday season over material things is a travesty. Whatever happened to the "Christmas spirit" and loving one another in the name of the season??? These people who trampled this poor man just to get a bargain are the a waste of good air and space on this planet. It would be nice to think that maybe they will see themselves on the news tonight and feel a bit of shame and remorse for the pain they have brought this man's family, but as sorry as they are, I'm not holding my breath. I hope they enjoy their ill gotten goodies and God have mercy on their dark souls!

Huggingthecoast.Com

at 15:55 on November 28th, 2008

When did stuff become more important than people? I'm beyond outraged that people still wanted to shop and purchase Christmas gifts there after a man died because of their greed.

Sadly, the fact that Wal-Mart reopened the store a few hours later after their employee's death somehow does not surprise me.

Save Money. Live Better indeed.

Josh Tjader (not verified)

at 16:53 on November 28th, 2008

This really makes me hate the world. I don't understand how people like that think. I don't understand why anyone would A: have an overwhelming desire to go to Walmart period B: would make it a point to get up at 5 A.M. to be there, and C: would literally break down the door and kill someone to save a few bucks on crappy merchandise. I wouldn't go to Walmart at 5 A.M. if they were giving away 60 inch flat screens. What is wrong with people?

Jinx Peters (not verified)

at 18:29 on November 28th, 2008

It makes me hate the world too, but there are still good people in it (such as the people commenting on this site.)

matte

at 18:40 on November 28th, 2008

I smell a lawsuit coming on, maybe two

One for walmart for not protecting its workers

Two- against the shoppers, most of whom can be tracked through CC numbers etc.

Surely the prices were not that good????

Jennings David L

at 18:54 on November 28th, 2008

I can't imagine lining up to fight and scramble for something on sale, it is incredible and very tragic for those hurt. Thanks for the background info amy.

daveny (not verified)

at 20:28 on November 28th, 2008

I live about 10 minutes away from this mall and stay away normally anyway.this is very uncalled for the poor guy was making 10 bucks an hour to feed his family and people were such in a hurry! For what!!! According to the brochere there was nothing there worth while!!!.so killing a guy for nintendo wii is your charge good luck in jail!! U get a lot of sales there I'm sure bubba got some for you!!

Barbara04 (not verified)

at 09:01 on November 29th, 2008

I am simply outraged by the greed and lack of empathy these people showed to his poor man they left on the floor to die. How dare they complain that the store was closing making them unable to continue to shop? Wal-Mart never should have reopened their doors yesterday, but then there would go their Black Friday profits, which are more important than the life of a temporary employee. I have never shopped on Black Friday because I did not want the crowds and the pushing and waiting, now I will not shop because I will no longer feed into this consumer society we have become. What are we becoming people? I am not buying gifts this year, this is not what Christmas is about, but this is what we've made it.

Jack_Yinzer

at 19:00 on November 30th, 2008

I think it's time we get rid of these Black Friday sales. It is really just an accepted and sanctioned form of inciting a riot. I worked for Walmart back in high school and into college, and I've SEEN first hand this kind of madness. I'd even witnessed a manager get smashed between a door and a shelving unit while trying to open the doors on the Black Friday that the Furbys came out.

"Ok... For the next 2 hours, this new game system is going to sell for %20 less than normal. after the 2 hours, it goes to normal price. Oh... and we have one display of the item. Every body ready? and... GO!"

Jack_Yinzer has contributed a photo to this story.