Atty: Trampled Man Had No Crowd Training

Man Who Died In New York Wal-Mart Stampede Was Temporary Worker

(CBS/AP)  A family attorney says a temporary worker trampled to death by customers at a New York-area Wal-Mart store had no training in crowd control.

Lawyer Jordan Hecht said Monday that Jdimytai Damour had been working at the Long Island store for only about a week when frenzied shoppers knocked him down on the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, which is known for its huge sales.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey says a preliminary investigation shows Wal-Mart failed to provide adequate security outside the store.

Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said security precautions were in place.

Nassau County police say an autopsy found Damour died of asphyxiation related to his trampling.

Police were reviewing video from surveillance cameras in an attempt to identify who trampled to death Damour.

Criminal charges were possible, but identifying individual shoppers in Friday's video may prove difficult, said Detective Lt. Michael Fleming, a Nassau County police spokesman.

Other workers were trampled as they tried to rescue the man, and customers stepped over him and became irate when officials said the store was closing because of the death, police and witnesses said.

At least four other people, including a woman who was eight months pregnant, were taken to hospitals for observation or minor injuries. The store in Valley Stream on Long Island closed for several hours before reopening.

Police said about 2,000 people were gathered outside the Wal-Mart doors before its 5 a.m. opening at a mall about 20 miles east of Manhattan. The impatient crowd knocked the employee, identified by police as Jdimytai Damour, to the ground as he opened the doors, leaving a metal portion of the frame crumpled like an accordion.

"This crowd was out of control," Fleming said. He described the scene as "utter chaos," and said the store didn't have enough security.

[clathrate]

You can''t train to handle crowds, you just get the hell out of the way or start beating @ss with a baton, those are the only 2 options.

[opticallady1]

What a joke training for crowd control wal mart would never paid for that I hope his poor family sues their a---- off.

[lewiston14]

Do we have to read about this for the next year? Its over. Nothing you can do (well there is but CBS wont let me post it)

[troutfisher4]

They should never have had an event like this. It is insane.

[dbstevens]

Why the hell would anybody need crowd control at a freaking Walmart? Oh...because people are pathetic and will actually kill to get their hands on a cheap DVD player. I think the only crowd control they needed here were cattle prods. People can be disgusting, and this poor man found out the hard way. Get a life people... a sale at a store isn''t cause for this sort of behavior.

[earache4]

...but did the crowd have stampede experience?

[txlakeside]

Sports venues, Road Contractors, Music venues all hire Local Licensed, uniformed Police Officers just to calm and quell the crowds. Walmart was way too cheap to pay $500 extra to do the same. Instead they hire a temp worker, pay him $8 bucks an hour, give him a vest and tell him to unlock the doors.

[scallywag8]

Oh yes, by all means, lets blame Walmart and the poor guy that opened the door! ITS NOT THERE FAULT THE CROWD GOT OUT OF CONTROL. CROWD CONTROL IS A POLICEMAN JOB! ONE MAN TO CONTROL 2000 PEOPLE? YEA RIGHT!

[whatchange-2009]

Our nation is thing crazy. This life is not about things, People. That''s what this whole economic recession/depression is about. Greed just killed this man. Nice going, New York. Another fine killing in your midst and not one shot fired. I''m sure you''re quite pleased. You got your Christmas presents.

[renonv5]

I hope his family gets a very good lawyer. Crowd control my a$$

[clathrate]

All WalMart and this poor guy did was try to open the door and let these idiots in to shop!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Rowdydfw

I can''t beleive it, but I actually agree with Rowdy on something for once!

[rudy6543]

Years ago I was in a country during a procession and the crowds were thick and moving quickly. Without even noticing it, the crowd began to move me along with it and I had absolutely no control over the situation. It was the scariest thing I have ever come to feel. I really feel for this man. It must have seemed like an avalanche of rocks or snow, and he couldn''t stop it.

[beader59]

Walmart knew what could happen, so they should be sued first. The individuals should face some kind of charges, even if not severe. These crowds are pack animals that have nothing in their head except for the kill, which in this case is trading a life for 50% off a big screen TV. I think these stores should have a ticket dispenser like the DMV and numbers are drawn randomly and only let in a certain number of people at a time. Or they better install remote door openers. There is no excuse for the behavior like at Walmart and there is no excuse for these stores not to have a better plan in mind.

[bigboy1069]

Wally World is among the biggest coporations who demonstrate no ethics whatsoever.

[rpwilso1]

About 10 years ago, in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada, at Wal-Mart 3032, a temporary Associate was trampled almost to death by a stampeding crowd after a "Tickle-Me Elmo" doll (the year they were the hot ticket item). He was in hospital for weeks recovering. Wal-Mart has been here before. Once can be borne of lack of understanding. Twice can only be borne of stupidity or greed. I hope this man''s family never has to worry about working again. The only thing Wal-Mart understands is financial penalty. Period.

[rsmik]

The fact that Walmart hired temps to work on Black Friday is indicative of their greed. Temps cost a company far less than regular employees and security guards.

[heero78-2009]

I feel sorry for the guy, but you gotta be an idiot to open a door by yourself with 2000 people pressing against it.

HellMart could care less whether you live or die. All the filthy leeches who run that out of control "corporation" care about is whether they can make money off your hide. In fact, HellMart makes the world of organized crime look like a child''s picnic. Why can''t we get laws on the books to exclude filth like HellMart from our communities?

[dieseldvr1]

give the door man a maurary model 88 elephant gun that will keep you cheapos in line

[ladyephesus1]

Walmart will work a person to death.

Im an ex employee. They are about making that money
and top sales. Why hire 10 people when 1 person can make 8.00 and open the door??

Let''s see Walmart Lawyers crawl out of this one.

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

People''s plans fail, only because they fail to plan.

The management team of this Wal-Mart should have made better plans for this event.

Those plans should have included adequate security and adequate crowd control.

Obviously, there was no effective plan in place.

Under the vicarious liability laws, I hope the court involved will find some degree of guilt on the part of the management''s failure to act in a responsible manner.

It is not only the fault of the Wal-Mart corporation, but the meatheads acting as managers as well.

[rose_thorn]

our society as a whole is to blame. Weve become so driven to own s**t we dont need. it was madness all over the country. People camping out through thanksgiving for christs sake. If it was starving people trying to get food ..maybe i would understand lil better.This is almost as ridiculous as oklahoma over texas in the bsc!!

Posted by dannyc1975 at 08:16 PM : Dec 01, 2008
******************

I''m with you. But I think Wal Mart should be removed from that area permanently. If they want a walmart deal in the future, make them drive 500 miles and register their identities in the parking lot. Jesus Christ - killing someone and busting in a store for items in wal mart? And people think Wal Mart should be sued?? THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR MURDER AND MAYHEM. If they refused to stand in a line like mature adults, let them sit in jail for 20-30 and see if that helps them acquire some patience in public arenas. Sickening. Absolutely sickening. No one should NEED "crowd control" if the adults would simply behave. My gawd. I steer clear of crowds and I shop at off hours because the general publics CANNOT be trusted to behave right.

[washrealtor]

Europe has it''s soccer games, we have our WalMart "door-buster" sales. Disgusting.

[yourpointis]

If it wasn''t for people being so GREEDY, he wouldn''t have NEEDED crowd control. They should stop this altogether.....or give people numbers like they do at some concert ticket sales when they stand in line. first come, first serve. My heart goes out the this man and his family.....

[groliesgirl]

What the hell is wrong with people? For one thing since Sam died walmart has not and will not care about the people they hire. I worked for them up until a week before I had my son. During the christmas rush I was lucky to even get to go to the bathroom let alone a break at all. They do not care about their employees. They are all about the almighty dollar. I hope they get punished as well as the ignorant, selfish, greedy people that trampled the poor guy.

[harbinger09]

Other than security, no sales employee is versed in crowd control and word to the wise--charges would be ridiculous--because those who stepped on the man in a middle of a stampede had 2 choices--keep moving or get run over along with him--THAT is the ugly fact about stampedes--the reason they are illegal (to shout "fire" in a crowded area) is that once they are started, those who participate have NO choice--it is trample--OR get trampled!!!

[walmartempl]

It''s so reassuring to know there is an ambulance chaser around when something tragic happens.

If Jordan Hecht wants to sue someone let him sue the person who used his/her cell phone to video Jdimytai Damour dying moments, hence depriving him the right to die with dignity then sold that video to the highest bidder. Let him sue all the news outlets for posting that video on the Internet for all the world to see. That video was not newsworthy. It was posted for the shock factor. Let him sue the people that stood there and laughed as Mr. Damour lay there dying.

[walmartempl]

Employees are trained to evacuate customers from the building should the need arise. It is unreasonable to expect all employees to be trained in crowd control. It is the nature of the retail business to have a high turnover so even if employees are trained this could have happened under the circumstances that took place at this store on Friday.

People need to take responsibility for their own actions. The people at this store, Friday morning lost control. No training can prepare you for people breaking down doors and stampeding.

I know the family is hurting but they need to take a step back and look at where the blame really lies if they want to pursue legal action.

This has been the first time there has been a death on Black Friday. The legal beagles obviously want to make an example out of Wal-Mart. How is that right? This could have just as easily happened at any number of other stores. It just so happened that Jdimytai Damour and Wal-Mart got in the way of people who were reacting out of fear and passion that they might not be the first to lay hands on the biggest, bestest, got to have it now, sale item.

Their greed fueled their heard mentality and now they need to "man up" and admit their guilt in Jdimytai''s death either by being on the front lines and being pushed from behind or being one of the people doing the pushing. They were very ugly that day and God doesn''t like ugly.

[harbinger09]

Our nation is thing crazy. This life is not about things, People. That''''s what this whole economic recession/depression is about. Greed just killed this man. Nice going, New York. Another fine killing in your midst and not one shot fired. I''''m sure you''''re quite pleased. You got your Christmas presents.

Posted by WhatChange at 07:26 PM : Dec 01, 2008


If not "stuff" a simple shout to panic, a gun shot or anything else would have ended in the same results--the fact is, you do not assemble hundreds or thousands of people together in a competitive free for all without having some sort of security or crowd control. Rallies, parades, games,concerts, amusement parks, etc., ALL have crowd control--they can be cops, security or baffle line systems to contain and direct a crowd---what you cannot have is a "free for all moment" Wal mart was at fault in this for not providing enough security and for failing to contain the crowd which their offers and tactics generated. It is hard to control a mob, riot or stampede--but it is pretty easy to prevent them in the first place--if not--there would have been similar deaths at Best Buy, Targets, and other Walmarts--but there weren''t.

[timster799]

I''m curious--where is this "crowd training" given and how does one sign up?

[harbinger09]

I''''m curious--where is this "crowd training" given and how does one sign up?

Posted by timbevil at 09:23 PM : Dec 01, 2008


Become a cop or work a security detail--if you have prior experience as a bouncer, maitre dom, parade organizer, etc you may qualify. Cops and security are trained in riot control--part of that is crowd control--so are personnel that work concerts/sports,parades, large event, theatre venues.

[harbinger09]

Their greed fueled their heard mentality and now they need to "man up" and admit their guilt in Jdimytai''''s death either by being on the front lines and being pushed from behind or being one of the people doing the pushing. They were very ugly that day and God doesn''''t like ugly.

Posted by WalMartEmpl at 09:21 PM : Dec 01, 2008


This part of your post makes no sense. Are you suggesting that the people in the front who were pushed from behind, should have fallen to the ground to be trampled too? Because other than that, their ONLY choice was to keep moving.

You should think before you post-anyone who has worked in crowd control knows that once a crowd is incited to riot or stampede, there is very little anyone except trained personnel can do to stop it--anyone in the crowd who might try to stop it would be the crowd''s next victims.

[walmartempl]

...and Wal-Mart was suppose to know 2000 people were going to storm this one store - how?

[hennighg]

No crowd control. Oh, boy. So it was his fault. Now we know.

[walt1944-2009]

As expected, Wal-Mart is claiming zero reponsibility in the death of the unfortunate employee who was trampled to death in a Wal-Mart store by a stampede lunatic shoppers. Wal-Mart claims the employee was a temp who had no training in crowd control which then raises the question what was this guy doing there anyway?

Maybe he was ordered there by the store manager who was safe at home in bed and away from the "war zone"!

As far as crowd control, Wal-Mart claims there were "security" outside the building which means cameras 40 feet in the air on parking lot lightposts! Wal-Mart''s idea of "security people" are the elderly "greeters" who met you at the front door. Anyone expecting security on the order of heavily armed mercenaries from Blackwater USSA, expects way too much from Wal-Mart!!

So, it is expected that Wal-Mart will wash its greedy hands of the affair and the store manager will get a promotion for generating so much revenue.

SIG HEIL, IT''S JUST BUSINESS!!!, BUSH!!!

[harbinger09]

..and Wal-Mart was suppose to know 2000 people were going to storm this one store - how?

Posted by WalMartEmpl at 09:32 PM : Dec 01, 2008


Looking for a defense for your employers? They could have applied simple logistics--big discounts--POSSIBLE huge crowd turn out---HUGE crowd turn out--higher need for more security, crowd control and crowd management.----Need for more security--pay the bucks, give out numbers to the first in line and warn shoppers that anyone who caused a disruption, ran, or attempted to accost another shopper would be removed from the store site and or arrested.

It has worked well these past years for Target and Best Buy--places that also saw thousands of shoppers.

Stupid people react AFTER harm is done--Smart people ANTICIPATE and plan for possibilities to minimize harm.

[walmartempl]

harbinger09 The post is meant to speak to all of the people who came through the doors. It is possible the people in the front of the line can help identify those who pushed them through the door. It surely took time for 2000 people to build up in that parking lot. While waiting do you think eveyone just stared straight ahead for hours?

[walmartempl]

"It has worked well these past years for Target and Best Buy--places that also saw thousands of shoppers."

...and you know this from first hand experience?

This incident could have happened at any store. It just so happens it happened at Wal-Mart.

I don''t have to defend anyone. Enough of you have commented on Wal-Mart pay. Do you really think I get paid enough to "defend anyone?"

I am chosing to speak up for what I believe is right.

[harbinger09]

Posted by WalMartEmpl at 09:36 PM : Dec 01, 2008


I was at a Walmart in my own city. I conversed for several hours with strangers--but I could no more identify them later than I could anyone off the street--the fact is, each person who pushed will claim that they were pushed from behind--to expect help in identifying anyone--the police will have to expect that every shopper was in "perp id " mode and made a habit in noting the features of their fellow shoppers.

Why would they? It was enough to read the maps handed out and try to figure out strategy on where to go to get certain items--most people may have noticed a few around them--but almost no one can say who pushed whom and whether those who pushed started it all or were victims of other pushers themselves.

The sad fact is, that if stores are going to have very limited items and use them to attract crowds, they should either use a raffle system, hand out tickets on a first come first served basis or have good security. Walmart wanted those huge crowds--all hungry for bargains--but what they did not seem to want or accept is the responsibility and onus that come when limited supply meets frenzied demand and there are few controls to contain the crowd.

[harbinger09]

..and you know this from first hand experience?

This incident could have happened at any store. It just so happens it happened at Wal-Mart.

I don''''t have to defend anyone. Enough of you have commented on Wal-Mart pay. Do you really think I get paid enough to "defend anyone?"

I am chosing to speak up for what I believe is right.

Posted by WalMartEmpl at 09:42 PM : Dec 01, 2008


Yes, I know this from first hand experience. On black Friday this year, hundreds were made to stand in distinct lines at Target and Security ejected people from the lines and the parking lots who were belligerent or who continually attempted to cut in line. It is amazing what a few uniformed policemen and personnel with earpieces can accomplish. At 6am. 4 lines that snaked around the parking lot were allowed to file into the store in an orderly fashion.

At a WAlmart near me, which was a 24 hour store, various locations had different lines and maps were distributed. For adjunct items for wiis or the garmins, employees, worked the lines, handing out items to those who wanted them, for other items, tickets were given to those first in line.

[harbinger09]

Do you really think I get paid enough to "defend anyone?"

I am chosing to speak up for what I believe is right.

Posted by WalMartEmpl at 09:42 PM : Dec 01, 2008


Depends on what you do for Walmart. My sister in law was a Supervisor trainer and recruiter for Walmart she made over 65K/year. (but traveled a lot) One of my sister''s dear friends was/is a district rep for Walmart and lives in the South (NC, I think) she makes over 80K a year. So yes--depending on what you do--it could very well affect your posts. After all, if all the candidates and politicians, big pharm. and the airlines can have shills on the blogs-- Why not Walmart?

There is nothing more damning to a retail company than an indictment in the court of public opinion--Walmart may not care about its employees, but they certainly don''t want to alienate the shoppers.

[walmartempl]

BRdeckard people like you make me ill.

To the posters that are here for their own agenda, be it politically or racially motivated or just hatred towards Wal-Mart.

The death of Jdimytai Damour has shaken me to my very core because of how he died but the ugly comments from the people on these discussion boards have really drained the last ounce of faith I had in humanity.

[staycalm]

The part that really got me was when the customers got irate that the store was closing due to the man''s death. That just puts the icing on the cake. Why should one innocent man''s death cause a delay in their self-indulgent frenzy? And this was all in the name of Christmas...the day we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace.

[meewee2]

So just because this poor man had no crowd training; therefore it is justified in the name of greed to trample him to death? What is wrong with everyone??? A Human life was wrongfully lost all in the name of greed! Just for a led TV??? Excuse me????!!! I am totally sick to death of humanity here in the USA for their so called Bush econmics!!! People get killed over this entitlement bull! We as a whole need to re-learn what this country is all about and it is definitly not LED TV''s; what about teaching our children about love, helping others, about helping the family? The country??? Don''t tell me about how difficult it is to tell your kids no...especially after I had it told to me and I taught it to my chidren and it worked then...get a backbone!!! These children need to learn now especially in this age of unmitigated greed that parents seem to can''t say no too! Get a life!!! After all we have done for you to be where you are now..do us a favour and teach your children the meaning of the word no and why; before they have to learn the ugly hard way from reality and the world!!! GET A CLUE!!! Be A Parent And Not A Buddy to Your Child! Who really is in Charge after all???!!!

[allzwell]

A tradegy indeed, in the frenzy marketed as "Black Friday" to bargain hunters everywhere as well as the obvious cluelessness and morbid obesity of the hapless dude that died. I don''t think Wallmart should pay the ultimate price for stupid people stepping over his body, nor are the stupid people any more responsible for this tragic event. We... well, you anyway, believe the BS sold to you from the high definition/data gathering propaganda/marketing tool in your living room. We''re good little republicons still goose stepping to the Owellian message of the good times Bush was supposed to have brought with him into office... wondering if the next step is off the cliff if you have at least half your wits about you. It certainly gives me a headache to think about it. Wallmart''s not the problem, the system is the problem and only a grassroots solution is going to fix it. Not the politicians, us... just us.

[walmartempl]

Well I hate to burst your bubble but I am on one of the lowest rungs of the (pay) totem pole and I am definately not being paid to post here.

[owlwomanxxxx]

I work for Walmart...I would like to see Bentonville come up with a strategy to make Black Friday safer for all

[pkelly79]

The people in this crowd should be absolutely ashamed of themselves - to act like livestock or wild animals to score a cheap TV or video game system. Sure Wal-Mart shares some responsibility, but the real blame and the death of this poor man rests on the shoulders of the people in that crowd. They should check video surveillance to see if they can find any of the people responsible or who acted more recklessly than others. A man''s life reduced to the value of cheap TV''s and socks. Very sad.

[notbuynit]

They only sell cheap *** at walmart. *** turns people into savages.

[laceypink]

How very sad that people were so greedy that they could kill someone for the all mighty "SALE", and for the people to be so upset that the store closed because of this man''s death...try telling that to his family,.. "Excuse me....I needed to get that extra pair of gloves and socks and the employee was in my way...", to those people that were upset, I hope you ALL BURN IN HELL....YOU GREEDY PIGS!!!!!!!, When you are all home with your familes, try telling that man''s children "Merry Christmas" and try to explain to his family that his death is because of your greed...you ALL should be ashamed of yourselves for killing this man....

To Wal-Mart, for no crowd control...Please....you work ALL your employees to death and pay them pennies for ALL the abuse that you inflict on them, you are just as guilty because you walk all over your employees and don''t even have the kindess in your bones to thank the empployees for what they have done to make you rich...

If everyone is in that big of a hurray to buy that present for the game sport, TRY BUYING YOUR GIFTS EARLY AND WRAP THEM AND PUT THEM AWAY, WITH LESS KILLERS OUT THERE, MAYBE ONE MAN''S LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED...