Man Dies After Wal-Mart Stampede

Throng Of Unruly Black Friday Bargain-Hunters Knock Down Door, Killing Man

(CBS/AP)  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.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in Bentonville, Ark., would not confirm the reports of a stampede but said a "medical emergency" had caused the company to close the store, which is in Valley Stream on Long Island.

Nassau County police said the 34-year-old worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m., an hour after the store opened. The cause of death was not immediately known.

A police statement said shortly after 5 a.m., a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking (the worker) to the ground." Police also said a 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation and three other shoppers suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals.

The exact cause of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s office, detectives said.

The dead worker's name was not released.

"Local authorities are looking into the situation," said Wal-Mart representative Dan Fogleman. But he said it would be "inappropriate for me to share any additional information" until authorities investigate further.

Also, in Missouri, a vehicle hit two Black Friday shoppers, according to KCTV. It wasn't clear how badly they were hurt, but both of the victims were alert when police arrived. Read more.

Shoppers around the country lined up early outside stores in the annual bargain hunting ritual known as Black Friday. Many stores open early and stay open late. The Valley Stream Wal-Mart usually opens at 9 a.m.

[donevis-2009]

someone announced BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL before the doors were opened.

[sleeepless]

I heard about the Walmart worker, on Friday morning, and was shocked and horrified that this could happen. According to this article a pregant 28 year old woman and 3 other people were all taken to the hospital, as well. A radio program reported that when they closed the store due to the death, shopper we upset and screaming that it was unfair.

It really does not matter if it is Walmart, Target, Belk or whatever store and how much security or if it is management or staff. It was a mob mentality. They would not have stopped no matter who was there attempting to maintain control. 12 staff members tried to help this man and were not able to do so.

When the crowd thought it was unfair that they could not continue shopping after someone had died was about as low as a person could go. When our wants are more important than a life, we need to rethink our priorities.

[idaliahqueen]

all i have to say...the people who killed this man are f*cking savages! to think that probably half of these morons were drunk! so sad for the family of the man who died. rip. and i can''t believe no one even stop to help him. fyi same sale on friday were going still on sunday! losers!

[txgrouch2007]

The other news sources say the worker was a temporary worker, and he was at the doors to open them for the store opening.

What does it tell you when the more experienced workers and managers let a TEMPORARY worker do the dangerous job of unlocking the doors at the beginning of the biggest shopping frenzy of the year?

Henceforth, a STORE MANAGER should be responsible for opening the doors on the day after Thanksgiving. Watch and see - there will be ARMED GUARDS clearing an open space outside the door before the manager will even approach the doors...

[bennyblack1]

I say close the stores. If they are to be open at all, then offer materials for people to make their own dang Christmas gifts. Hobby Lobby, Arts and Crafts shops, tapestry stores, tools for fixing up things (when was the last time YOU fixed a wall, planted a garden, made your kids a knit cap, or knitted a blanket, or repaired a car?) The Christmas season is the season in which we can celebrate American peace and freedom with the person who have it to us, Jesus Christ.
There are those of us who have been warning America for years...Read the book of Isaiah, and understand what happens to nations that turn away from God. God will do it all. You can''t say you weren''t warned. And you won''t be able to blame us, we are unarmed and harmless. We''re on the radio, the TV, in the church, passing you by as we talk to you about the peace of Christ passing to you. We are the prophets God sent you, saying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!" You would have none of us. We shall now be silent. We shall now only preach what you want to hear. We will now only show you what you want to see. And, we - - will perish - - along with thee.

[bennyblack1]

I''ve been warning you for at least a couple of years on this thing. Don''t shoot the messenger. I''m just a carrier.
You people need to wake up and smell the coffee. God ain''t happy with America. The way you treat the weak, the way you abuse your children, how you can allow a few bucks to kill someone...then have NO remorse. What exactly do you MEAN that it wasn''t fair to leave the store because of a death YOU caused? Greed just pure greed...right after Thanksgiving...shopping for Christmas...a day we''re supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ, and God''s way of making peace with us, his creation. He created America so that ALL may be free of worry from THINGS like THIS...and YOU kill someone over a BARGAIN???!!!! Go back to Christ, read that Bible you hate so much...find out how civilized people at PEACE act!
I really don''t believe it...home grown shopping terrorists! Gee..what''s next? Suicide toddlers????

[garyl615]

FFoulkes: Do you have your application in at Walmart?

[ffoulkes-2009]

The fact no one wants to work for Walmart and Walmart executives do not care speaks VOLUMES about Walmart as a corporation.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 10:55 AM : Nov 29, 2008
____________
Wow...it must also speak volumes for any grocery store, convenience store, department store, fast food source, resteraunt, plumber service, farm, or any of many many other places that would likely not be chosen as the place high schoolers and college students would want to work.

Plus, I know for a fact that VERY FEW IF ANY employees at Walmart are paid minimum wage. Most are hired at levels above minimum wage. That is better than many of the above mentioned places.

[ffoulkes-2009]

Just because other mobs did not kill anyone does not relieve Walmart of responsibility for the mob they allowed to form.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:26 PM : Nov 29, 2008
___________
Walmart did not allow a ''MOB'' to form. They allowed a ''GROUP'' of shoppers to form (such as is allowed in the Constitution). The GROUP then decided with their twisted groupthink to BECOME a MOB. This was not helped along in any manner by Walmart. I understand that you are jelous of those becoming rich because Walmart is such a success, but you should really control your envy.

[ef232690]

do the same people post comment after comment, just using a different names (sign in name).

[ef232690]

so sad for all of you. what if this is the only job this person could get tosupport their family, with all the lay-offs in the us. my hat is off to the person and family that died.

[adfolder]

Next year, let some over-paid,fat,arrogant walmart CEO open the stink''in door, and let the idoits in.

[thecrazypastor]

So easy to say, "The Mob Wal-Mart allowed to form..."

Wal-Mart has this sale every single year and they have it all over the nation. Best Buy has this sale. Kmart has this sale. Circuit City has this sale. Now we want to require them to train/hire a security force to keep us from hurting ourselves. And of course, we''ll have to require the same thing outside of concerts, -not just inside mind you, ballgames, nightclubs, movie theaters, Six Flags, any parking lot where a mob might possibly form to get in. Wonderful idea. Let''s run with it. Or maybe... maybe people could stop... I don''t know... walking on top of other people???

[dlpope2008]

I hope the cameras caught the people that broke down the doors. They should be prosecuted for murder, breaking & entering, etc. When a store is closed - it''s closed.

I do also agree that Walmart and all other retailers should stop the Black Friday sales.......but regardless a retailer should not be held responsible for the stupidity or ignorance of idiots.

I hope like hell that WalMart gets sued by this victim''s family for the prompting of this frenzied b...sh.. that goes on every year. Then all these companies would stop this Black Friday trash. It all is symptomatic of crass western materialism . It''s shameful that it is aligned with a supposed religious holiday

[sjbj2322]

I don''t excuse the people that caused this man''s death but the fact of the matter is they wouldn''t have been there had it not been for the stores offering these sales gimicks. Especially this year. Times are getting increasingly tough and lots of people are desperately searching for ways to make their money stretch. Blaming these people is like blaming the kid with a joint of marijuana for the entire drug culture without going after the big wigs that bring the stuff in by the tons. WalMart is responsible for this and I hope they are ready to do right by this man''s family. Look at the pictures. Why did they put this part-time, temporary employee at the door? Because he''s a big guy. They knew what was going to happen when that door was opened. They are responsible for this and should be forced to pay dearly.

[pugnax1]

This again proves the truth of that 1950''s bumper sticker that says: People are no *** good. Especially around this time of year.

[centerfall94]

Was the Witch of Wasalia in the store video? I can totally see her stampeding someone.

[eraser8818]

I know that on weekends, messages just disappear. I don''''t think they''''re deleted by censors, I think CBS''''s computers suck (or their programming).

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:31 PM : Nov 29, 2008

Yes, I have said before that I think they have a problem. They need to get it fixed.

I am surprised that my comments were not deleted. Maybe I will try my old name again later.

[eraser8818]

Tucker

I have to go and eat my breakfast. My tummy is growling.

Have a good day. :)