Walmart employee trampled to death on Black Friday

[betheny]

Really, people? You camped out all night on Thanksgiving so you could storm the doors at Wal-mart at 5 a.m. on Friday? Burst through the doors, breaking them, and trampled a 34 yr. old temp seasonal worker?

Really?

Gawdamighty. I hope everybody got their flatscreens, at least. I wonder if they were puzzled by the blood on their shoes.

If I have to be trampled to death, please God, let it be at a rock concert. Not freaking Wal-Mart.

I was in a tryptophan coma at 9 on Thursday...and at 5 a.m. on Friday too, for that matter. Why weren't these people stuffing their faces like good Americans?

So tragic. Black Friday indeed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/business/29walmart.html?bl&ex=1228107600&en=95e0984e8f92cc7c&ei=5087%0A

"...Tension grew as the 5 a.m. opening neared. Someone taped up a crude poster: “Blitz Line Starts Here.”

By 4:55, with no police officers in sight, the crowd of more than 2,000 had become a rabble, and could be held back no longer. Fists banged and shoulders pressed on the sliding-glass double doors, which bowed in with the weight of the assault. Six to 10 workers inside tried to push back, but it was hopeless.

Suddenly, witnesses and the police said, the doors shattered, and the shrieking mob surged through in a blind rush for holiday bargains. One worker, Jdimytai Damour, 34, was thrown back onto the black linoleum tiles and trampled in the stampede that streamed over and around him. Others who had stood alongside Mr. Damour trying to hold the doors were also hurled back and run over, witnesses said.

Some workers who saw what was happening fought their way through the surge to get to Mr. Damour, but he had been fatally injured, the police said. Emergency workers tried to revive Mr. Damour, a temporary worker hired for the holiday season, at the scene, but he was pronounced dead an hour later at Franklin Hospital Medical Center in Valley Stream...."

[RehabRhino]

Sadly, that doesn't surprise me.

I ventured into the city centre today for food and cigs. It was truly hideous. Considering no-one is supposed to have any money to spend people are sure worshipping at the retail altar.

[hlh]

Repulsive.

I heard on the news today that the police are searching the surveillance cameras (and hopefully, the credit card receipts) to identify the people involved and they will be criminally charged. As they should be. All of this disaster was caught on video.

I hope they find all of the people who went through that door and plaster their mug shots on tv/newspapers for some good old-fashioned, Singapore style public humiliation.

Such shame.

[darkeyed_daisy]

The sad thing is that I see Walmart shirking their responsibilities to prevent this as he was a temporary worker employed by someone else.

This just goes to show what Christmas has become. It is very sad.

[1 Fine Spine RN]

My dad tried to go to two different WalMarts on friday because mom thought it would be nice to have some doofus thing they had on sale for 9 bucks instead of 11. He could not get in the door for the crowds around the first one, and the second one had police and dogs and fighting so, at 78 my dad opted for home and no 9 buck item. Shame eh??? WalMart is now not safe for the generation of Americans who actually have the cash to pay for their crap.

Absurd. My family is going to live without a trip to WalMart for the rest of the year. They are also responsible for this. What did they think would happen?

Honestly.

We do not need terrorists, we are perfectly capable of destroying our own culture in the quest for crap from metal shelves. PFFFFT!!!

[addiesue]

Here in Nashville at the mall Bass Pro Shops built a fire in the parking lot for all the people camping out. I'd rather pay full price than go through all of that. I did go out yesterday but it was late in the afternoon. The crowd wasn't bad then.

[Hunker]

What I found so messed up is no one helped to stop the man. I was at Light up Atlanta years back and it got so crowded people started falling over me and my chair. Girls were screaming but no one could help the crowd just swayed a people kept falling. it was crazy. The difference it a bunch of guys locked arm together around me in a circle and the crowd settled down. They crazy thing is the customers were told to leave and they whined about waiting all night to get inside!?

[Rrrrronnn]

When customers were told they had to leave the store so the police could investigate, some customers were heard saying "But I waited all night on line!" WTF!!! Not only that, but the store reopened for business 8 hours later. Now, I don't give a flyin fuc how temporary the temp worker was, what kind of business makes employees work when a fellow worker was killed there just a few hours ago.

[Le Type Français]

Some shoppers who had seen the stampede said they were shocked. One of them, Kimberly Cribbs of Queens, said the crowd had acted like “savages.” Shoppers behaved badly even as the store was being cleared, she recalled.

“When they were saying they had to leave, that an employee got killed, people were yelling, ‘I’ve been on [sic] line since yesterday morning,’ ” Ms. Cribbs told The Associated Press. “They kept shopping.”

Despicable!

[Aliya]

I read this yesterday had to read it twice to make sure I read it right. There is nothing I want that desperately to wait in line with a group of people like that.

[addiesue]

Reminds me of when my grandma got in a fight with a lady over a cabbage patch kid when I was small. I don't know what gets into people.

[Kristi]

This man's death is beyond horrible and this is why they need to stop having Black Friday sales. A friend of mine went out for it yesterday for her girls and she saw a fist fight over a shopping cart. Talk about Christmas spirit. I have never gone out shopping on Black Friday and never will. I would rather pay full price for something then to be a part of anything like that to save a few bucks.

I hope they can catch the people that trampled over this man to save some money on some piece of crap you can get at Wal-Mart and not to mention a huge wrongful death law suit against Mr. Walmart. I can't believe they reopened the store that day. Just awful and could have been prevented if Wal-Mart had hired the right amount of workers and security.

[smokymtn memories]

I can't believe this! I was just telling my husband Thursday nite, the fools waiting in line overnite are nuts! And, they won't stop unless enough are injured or killed.

I stopped going a long time ago because of the crazy crowds. You had to be one of the first five in the door to get one of the "deals", so what's the point in going.

I guess that's what started them camping out all night. They should make it illegal to be on the property in the hours the store is closed.

[Human]

Walmart did not even have that good of a sale. Surely cameras saw what happened. They need to review them and charge those involved.

[darkeyed_daisy]

I can remember when it was a tradition...not to get low prices but to spend the day with your family and being together.

The year I stopped going was the year people ran over me because I walked so slow not too mention the darn VCR blew up after a couple months anyway.

I used to enjoy going with my mom and we would eat a breakfast together. It was mom/daughter time.

Now it is just too dangerous and too crowded.

When you have the internet, I can't understand why these people act this way. I have done all my shopping via interest the last several years. Of course, I am not in the market for an Elmo or a Wii either.

I think the companies make only so many of some items to create all this hysteria.

I'm not a sue happy person but I hope Walmart gets sued and changes are made for next years black Friday.

I just don't do a whole lot of shopping anymore at Walmart anyway. I would rather pay the dollar extra than have to stand in the lines or fight the crowds even on a normal weekend. Walmart is too cheap to pay cashiers even at normal times.

[Danine]

As evidenced by my avatar, I don't see anything all that "merry" about x-mas time. If I could just hibernate from thanksgiving through december 31, i'd be happy.

[skippy13]

This is just terrible. Walmart needs to be held accountable for this mans death as do the shoppers that did this. Walmart has a negative enough public image already IMO. I dont shop there anymore. Not since the insurance scandal of last summer.

[Jim]

What the hell is wrong with people, this is insanity.

I'm sure WM they will be settling a law suit before it goes to court and this will all just go away until it happens again next year.

[teena]

Well...

This is just ridiculous...and as Todd said, despicable!!!

But...

I know it happens.

I once was at an annual Christmas Craft/Yard/White Elephant sale at a huge local NICE Assisted Living Facility. I went there to shop. There was one elderly lady in front of me, and she was using a walker. The folks behind me started surging the line when it got close to opening time...pressing and pressing until I thought that both me and the Lady were going to go down like dominos. I finally turned around and YELLED as LOUD as I could...saying...

ALL of you need to back up a few steps and calm down. We have a lady up here who is using a walker and you are about to knock her and me both down, and there is NOTHING inside those doors that is worth somebody getting hurt over!!! So back off NOW. Folks stepped back a bit, and a man chimed in and said, she's right...everybody will get in soon, so everybody calm down.

The lady was finally given a chair to sit down, so she wouldn't get knocked over.

It just goes to show you that it happens in small places too...

But...

I am baffled too as to why someone didn't stop to help the worker....

Were they all afraid for their own safety?

Or were they all just greedy?

A shame and a huge disgrace...

And I agree...people should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, and if the law is not harsh enough, then there needs to be a new law against trampling people to death...

I can't imagine how heartsick the guy's family and friends feel. My heart goes out to them...let's keep them in our prayers....

[Van Quad]

We do not need terrorists, we are perfectly capable of destroying our own culture in the quest for crap from metal shelves. PFFFFT!!!

Very true. We are dumbed down by incessant advertising and Shrek sequels.

Boycott the profiteers and give Living Gifts of livestock, seedlings, or school fees for people in the Third World.

[jessie.gray]

Its a shame how shoppers act these days. I heard on the news last night that there was also a pregnant woman who got injured and a man suffered a heart attack. Nothing is that important in Wal-Mart that you have to kill or injure someone. Apparently the shoppers at that Wal-Mart forgot what Christmas is really about and were only concerned at getting a fancy camera or computer thing. I really hope they got a good look at the customers who barged on in the store and that they face the consequences.

I went shopping once the day after Thanksgiving a couple years ago, because I got my SSI check at that time and wanted to go pay bills and do a little bit of shopping. I came home with bruises all over my hands and forearms from people banging their shopping carts into the handrims and sides of my wheelchair. Everytime someone would do this, they'd just glare at me and speed on by, as if they could care less that they hit my hand or my chair.

Jessie

[lynnifer]

Despicable. I hope the people that participated are charged .. but what about the people who stood by and did nothing?

[fishin'guy]

Gawd, someone got killed in this crap, and a gun wasn't used. Imagine that! Maybe we should make more control laws, outlaw sales like these. Itg's killing people, enact m,ore laws.:D

[macska]

Savages.
I will never shop in Walmart again. Hardly did even before this. They have re-opened the store by 1pm after this poor man died.

[rcechser]

Gawd, someone got killed in this crap, and a gun wasn't used. Imagine that! Maybe we should make more control laws, outlaw sales like these. Itg's killing people, enact m,ore laws.:DMore laws is not the answer I can tell you that, we have enough stupid laws. You need more humane people.

[dan_nc]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,460924,00.html

The siblings of a worker trampled to death by Wal-Mart shoppers looking for Black Friday bargains have filed a lawsuit against the retailer and the shopping center

[Aliya]

I didn't read the fox news article and am not a sue happy person but this is one time I say sue. Just a sad story and can't believe walmart opened the store a few hours later.

[Chris Chappell]

Tragic, sad, pathetic, shameful - the whole thing. Wal-mart deserves to get sued. A human being's life over a $3 bath towel. Wtf is wrong with people??:(

I tell ya, another year like this one and I'm selling everything, moving to a cabin in the mountains and checking out of society for awhile. Give me mother nature, good music, a warm fire and a few cases of good wine. I'll be just fine sitting on the sidelines for a change...:)

Be safe this holiday season and take care everyone.

[Sue Pendleton]

And this Walmart is in a rather affluent area of Long Island not the projects in The Bronx. So you have educated, professional people stomping a seasonal worker who probably paid half his wages in commuting to work. And who gets up at 4am to shop sales? Thank goodness most of my shopping is by internet or small, NON-chain stores when possible. Walmart kills Mom and Pops and now the help.

[rcechser]

HOW BIG IS WAL-MART?

1 .
At Wal-Mart,
Americans spend $36,000,000 every hour
of every day.

2 .
This works out to $20,928 profit
every minute!

3.
Wal-Mart will sell more
from January 1 to St. Patrick's Day (March 17th)
than Target sells all year.

4.
Wal-Mart is bigger than Home Depot +
Kroger + Target + Sears + Costco +
K-Mart combined.

5.
Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people
and is the largest private employer. And most can't speak English

6.
Wal-Mart is the largest company
in the history of the World.

7.
Wal-Mart now sells more food
than Kroger & Safeway combined,
and keep in mind they did this
in only 15 years.

8.
During this same period,
31 Supermarket chains sought bankruptcy
(including Winn-Dixie).

9.
Wal-Mart now sells more food
than any other store in the world.

10.
Wal-Mart has approx 3,900 stores
in the USA of which 1,906 are SuperCenters;
this is 1,000 more than it had 5 years ago.

11.
This year, 7.2 billion different
purchasing experiences will occur
at a Wal-Mart store.
(Earth's population is approximately
6.5 billion.)

12.
90% of all Americans live
within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart

[macska]

I hope by the time the family is done, they will own that store.

[duge]

Isn't this suppose to be a civilized country? :confused: I can't imagine people being this freakin anxious to save a dollar, sure didn't bother them to spend it on gas a month ago!!!:nono: I hope they find and have a public hanging of the people who trampled the poor guy!! This is just another reason I hate Wal-Mart!!!!!!!!!!! the use to advertise "made in the USA" not anymore!!! that went bye-bye yrs ago!!! the whole damm thing has went way down-hill since Sam Walton died. I really wish someone would put them out of bussiness! well maybe the guy's family will win enough that they will have to close!:applaud:

[Chris Chappell]

rcechser - amazing stats, thanks for the info. Now they can add one more: One of the top 10 companies to post body counts as one of their shopper "experiences". :nono:

[Le Type Français]

You hear from people like Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter that there is a so-called War on Christmas. The problem is that they fail to see the true culprit behind this war: Greed, not anti-religious sentiment. Christmas is EVERYWHERE. Even before Thanksgiving, stores and people are preparing for Christmas Day. This holiday has become commercial, not religious in nature at all. We buy a shit load of gifts for people all because a few incenses were brought to the baby Jesus? The Bible never even states much of what we believe about the commercialized version of Jesus' birth.

I love Christmas. The music, family gatherings, and feeling are so nice, but the gift-giving has gotten out of hand. I like to see kids get gifts, but it's being overdone. At some gatherings, the children are getting so much, they lose track of their presents and who gave what to whom. We're spoiling our children so much by giving them overkill.

[macska]

Le Type, perhaps you could look up the origin of Christmas?
Has nothing to do with Jesus.

[Chris Chappell]

Macska - instead of pointing out the negative on a member's post, why not try to be educational. Here's a gentle reminder to treat each member with respect. And to reference your comment:

Origin of Christmas - The Biblical Account
The origin of Christmas is presented beautifully in the well-known biblical account of Luke: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:1-11).

Origin of Christmas - The Traditions and Controversies
For today's Christian, the origin of Christmas is, and should be, the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible. Nothing more and nothing less. However, most of what we witness on December 25th each year has absolutely nothing to do with that blessed day, which probably occurred in late summer or early fall about 2,000 years ago. In fact, most of the customs and traditions of Christmas actually pre-date the birth of Jesus, and many of them are downright deceptive in their meaning and origin. Here are a few examples:

The date of December 25th probably originated with the ancient "birthday" of the son-god, Mithra, a pagan deity whose religious influence became widespread in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries A.D. Mithra was related to the Semitic sun-god, Shamash, and his worship spread throughout Asia to Europe where he was called Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. Rome was well-known for absorbing the pagan religions and rituals of its widespread empire. As such, Rome converted this pagan legacy to a celebration of the god, Saturn, and the rebirth of the sun god during the winter solstice period. The winter holiday became known as Saturnalia and began the week prior to December 25th. The festival was characterized by gift-giving, feasting, singing and downright debauchery, as the priests of Saturn carried wreaths of evergreen boughs in procession throughout the Roman temples.

Variations of this pagan holiday flourished throughout the first few centuries after Jesus Christ, but it probably wasn't until 336 AD that Emperor Constantine officially converted this pagan tradition into the "Christian" holiday of Christmas.

Origin of Christmas - What Really Matters?
The true origin of Christmas is filled with controversy and compromise. A quick study will reveal a number of disturbing roots that we haven't been able to cover in this brief article. In short, the Christmas holiday we celebrate today is indicative of Christianity's willingness to absorb the world's customs and traditions, and forget its simple roots in the historical reality of Jesus Christ. Christmas should be nothing more than a simple, yet wonderful reminder of Christ's humble beginning as a human child in this world. His birth merely set the stage for the power, glory, and salvation that would be revealed in His life, death, and resurrection! Whether it's December 25th, sometime in late September, or any other day of the year, we should use each and every opportunity to reflect on Jesus Christ and His message of hope for all of us.


I'm not religious but there are many beliefs, right or wrong, relating to the celebration of Christmas. Keep supporting each other not trample each other.

[trainman]

Very good Chris, thank you for showing us the history of the day.

I agree that it has become too commercialized, stores putting up Christmas items before Halloween and radio stations starting Christmas music in mid November. Whether you believe it to be a celebration of the birth of Christ or not, it should be a day of piece and family gathering.

[Le Type Français]

Le Type, perhaps you could look up the origin of Christmas?
Has nothing to do with Jesus.

That's true, too. ;) Don't tell that to Bill O'Reilly.