139 replies to this topic

[folsombound]

The manager should be applauded for having pride in his store. Forced to resign? Most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, store policy or not. That is the kind of thought process that is wrong with this world.



If the kid stole he has every business laying his hands on the child.

Frankly this is when a rod should be spoiled on that child's arse. Frankly, if someone is stealing kid or not the law should provide for him to have tackled that kid to the cement and used as much excessive force as necessary.

I hope that kid and his parents get sued for every single penny they are worth and ever will be worth.

Next thing you will be saying that since someone shot and killed a cop that served a search warrant, the Police should be sued because they violated his rights by going on that guy's property. Where does it end? I'm shocked that either of you two think like that and frankly that is the kind of attitudes that make me ashamed to be a part of this society these days.

Shame.

On both of you.

+100! Couldn't agree more!

[camay2327]

A store that large should have security guards that are trained to take care of situations like that. The store manager should not have to get involved. I know for a fact that Fry's Electronics has security guards, I have seen them in action and I know one that worked in the Sunnyvale store.

[mylo]

The manager should have shot first. It was Walmarts fault for not creating a policy that allowed that. It was the managers fault for not following whatever policy was in place. But in the end, it was the kids fault for stealing in the first place.

[Michael Hughes]

The manager should have shot first. It was Walmarts fault for not creating a policy that allowed that. It was the managers fault for not following whatever policy was in place. But in the end, it was the kids fault for stealing in the first place.

Yes don't they still have an ammo section.

Swing by the hunting department on the way out

[giacomo]

I'd like to take this opportunity to give all of you some facts about what happened to the store manager, but first a bit about the store manager.
I've known the store manager for the past two years as his daughter and my daughter played on the same soccer team the past two seasons. He has another daughter who also plays soccer and he volunteered to help coach the team as well. He's a devoted husband and father and very supportive of his girls. Every Saturday, the family and grandparents would all be out on the sidelines cheering for their team. He's been at WalMart since the opening in '92. He loves his job and the employees at WalMart.

I spoke to a WalMart department manager, whom I know, this morning to get the facts about what really happened on Thursday:
The store manager waited until shoplifter exited the garden center. (They cannot stop him inside store) Once outside, still on the sidewalk, mgr tapped the kid on the shoulder and spoke to him, saying he needed to go back inside the store with him. The kid proceed to bolt, the mgr held onto the jacket, kid spun around and proceeded to stab the manager not once or twice but SEVEN times. Four in the stomach, twice in the chest and once in the arm. Mgr didn't even realize he was being stabbed, he thought he was being punched! Mgr went back into WalMart and then realized he had been stabbed so he walked over to the fire station. He was transported to Mercy San Juan trauma unit and had surgery. Missed the aorta by millimeters. The prognosis is pretty good. There's a chance he'll be released on Tuesday.
I know everyone has opionions on this site and many of you have great posts on a myriad of topics, but it's important to know the facts.
One other point, the manager of the store is 6'3" and about 240lbs. I don't think he ever thought this teen would attack him like he did. One of you even said mgr had no right to lay a hand on this kid. Frankly, the kid had no right to try to kill the manager because of a shoplifting charge. You say WalMart should be sued...give me a break!
The manager is a good man and I hope and pray he recovers fully and can get back on his feet and lead a normal and productive life.

[ducky]

Thanks for the background, giacomo. Really hope he's going to be okay.

[Michael Hughes]

Thanks for the background, giacomo. Really hope he's going to be okay.

Thanks Giacomo. I met the manager on several occasions in the store just chit chatting and he seems like a Great guy!! Super helpful! I hope his recovery is quick!

[supermom]

giamom-please note--I'm not atacking your store manager.

The policy is what I'm attacking.

it is wrong!!

I agree wholeheartedly with one of the other posters---a security guard, trained to assess theft, stop a thief, and if need be--hold a thief under (citizens) arrest--until cops come--I can live with that.

Walmart should be sued.

I didn't say the kid or perpetrator should be suing. Franky, it should be the manager. His life was needlessly put in danger, he was not properly trained, and it's really not a big jump from reality to imagination-that something like this could and would happen in a freaking (super) store that has no obvious crime deterrenaence (spelling?).

And to the other posters, if you ever lie a hand on on eof my kids and you aren't a cop be prepoared for me to dind out where you live.

Dont threaten a kid just cause your bigger. That type of bully mentality doesn't make you right. Just because the kid is doing something wrong. It makes you both wrong. And tragedies happen.

its wrong for these stores, these days, to not have security guards, trained to stop someone, or at least trained to be able to give the cops a very good description of the bad guy (being a good witness).

I am not in any sense of this saying that the kid is innocent or that he shouldn't pay for his crime.

I am saying that the policies of this store have been questioned before. And this tore manager shouldn't have been placed in a position where he had to take such a risk.

For love of a job as a manager? I think not.

[JLS]

this thread saddens me. seriously! I honestly can't believe the views I'm hearing here. I'm not going to point out which ones or get involved in the conversation but I would sure like to think that the man who was attacked would see this thread and feel supported. I doubt he cares about anybody suing anybody, rules, the kid and his parents, or just about anything. I'm sure this man is just happy to be alive and his family happy to still have their daddy.

Who knows this kid, his circumstances, parents, anything. I'm sure his family is absolutely traumatized as well. Although he was the attacker, the family was not. I've grown up with kids who couldn't have better parents and morals... but if they would have known how their child was behaving they would be shocked. They did try to govern their kids, look into what they were doing and who with, you name it. I can honestly say that unless your kids have a microphone and tracking device on them... you don't know your kids and what they are doing behind your back ever. Even then your kids... you perfect angels... your best friends... might still be tricking you as they are incredibly smart. That may 100% not be the case in this situation I don't know... don't care. I don't wish to support their family or shoot them down since I don't know them. Period.

All I care about is that the man is still alive and still a husband, and a dad.

[JMH]

Giacomo, thanks for the update. I will add this family to my daily prayers (along with Jolene's family). I pray for his fast recovery. It sounds like he has a wonderful and loving family to care for him while he recovers.

Irish1 - great post - too bad a few others didn't follow your lead! Must be something in the water.

Supermom - My family owns several grocery stores in Houston. They have the right to confront and detain thiefs until authorities arrive - regardless of age. They can also use justifiable force if necessary. I know this because my uncle was the Chief of Police in Houston and he had a really cool, tricked out ride.

Why should Walmart be sued? By whom and for what?

[Oldschooler81]

For what it's worth I can truly see both sides of the issue (yeah I say that about lots of things, but it's true).

I'm sure the manager had the best intentions. On one hand I don't think non police/military/security types (i.e. civillians) should be acting like vigilantes. If he grabbed the kid or been physical with him BEFORE the stabbing then I'd agree that was overboard (though the man is still the victim, no question). I'm sure he didn't expect the 13 year old to be anything more than a small time thief - usually just a "what are you doing" scare is enough to deter even an adult thief.

When I worked at Blockbuster, they even implicitly said not to ever try and be a hero, and that if a robbery ever were to go down, to cooperate completely and give up the money or merchandise. It may be a loss, but human life is so much more important.

On the other hand, you have the right to defend yourself if you're being attacked. The kid didn't just throw one punch or shoved him to be able to get away, he stabbed him multiple times (you could even say attempted murder). Whether he was not in the right mind at the time, or perhaps has some emotional or mental condition that caused him to act out...obviously still doesn't excuse it. I just hope the dude doesn't become a hardcore criminal when he grows up - I do hope if he's medicated or rehabilitated or some other steps are taken now, he might still have a chance.

P.S. I could've sworn they DID have security guards in my time, but maybe in this economy they had to cut back. I totally agree that a place like that needs security so that situations like that can be handled by someone trained for it. I know Targets here have them.

Double P.S. I didn't know it opened in 1992! I don't recall going there until after I moved into another place in OV in late '93 and it still seemed "newish".

[Michael Hughes]

And to the other posters, if you ever lie a hand on on eof my kids and you aren't a cop be prepoared for me to dind out where you live.

Dont threaten a kid just cause your bigger. That type of bully mentality doesn't make you right. Just because the kid is doing something wrong. It makes you both wrong. And tragedies happen.

Those kind of comments only perpetrate violence against those in authority. The person in authority (manager) is not threatening the kid. He is keeping his store safe and the miscreants are taught a lesson.

I feel very sorry for your kids and hope that is one trait they <b> do not </b> carry on from their mother. Sounds like a view of someone who is part of the cause and not the solution.

[Oldschooler81]

Those kind of comments only perpetrate violence against those in authority. The person in authority (manager) is not threatening the kid. He is keeping his store safe and the miscreants are taught a lesson.

I feel very sorry for your kids and hope that is one trait they <b> do not </b> carry on from their mother. Sounds like a view of someone who is part of the cause and not the solution.

In fairness though Michael, it's a civilized society and people can't be vigilantes. I will defend myself if anyone puts their hands on me (or someone I love...even to get anyone out of danger, like a woman or a little kid), but as a worker I'd never get physical with someone to save merchandise worth $10.

For the most part I understand where supermom is coming from.

I can understand not wanting to send a message that shoplifting is okay (much less violence), but there are other ways of punishing.

[Michael Hughes]

In fairness though Michael, it's a civilized society and people can't be vigilantes. I will defend myself if anyone puts their hands on me (or someone I love...even to get anyone out of danger, like a woman or a little kid), but as a worker I'd never get physical with someone to save merchandise worth $10.

For the most part I understand where supermom is coming from.

I can understand not wanting to send a message that shoplifting is okay (much less violence), but there are other ways of punishing.

Yes but supposedly he just put his hand on the kids shoulder and grabbed his jacket to prevent him from leaving with stolen merchandise.

That's not violent. That's less than a playground supervisor would do at an elementary school

The kid was the one who was violent.