Walmart employees fired after stopping robbery

[joseephuss]

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/244010/28/Walmart-employees-fired-after-stopping-robbery

Walmart employees fired after stopping robbery

Layton, UT (CNN) - Sometimes it doesn't pay to be the hero. Just ask four former Walmart employees north of the Salt Lake City area. They're looking for jobs after ripping a gun away from an alleged shoplifter.

"Absolutely, time stopped. I didn't know what to do," said former Walmart employee Gabe Stewart.

Stewart froze -- a gun pressed into his back, he was pushed up against a wall, and Justin Richins and Shawn Ray were backed against a closed door.

It was January 13. A police report obtained by KSL television shows Trent Allen Longton was seen stashing a Netbook computer inside his clothes in the electronics department. He then headed toward the front of the store. The workers approached and escorted him to the loss prevention office.

That's where Longton took out the laptop and then a loaded handgun, bullet in the chamber. He rushed the workers, pushing the gun into Stewart.

Asset protection supervisor Lori Poulsen says they went hands-on. She ripped the gun away and everyone restrained Longton until police arrived

 

[CowboyDan]

It won't be popular, but I agree that disciplinary action should take place. Not sure firing is what I would do, but some discipline for sure. Here's why:

"We appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, but the actions taken put their safety, and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates in jeopardy."

 

[Doomsday101]

It won't be popular, but I agree that disciplinary action should take place. Not sure firing is what I would do, but some discipline for sure. Here's why:

"We appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, but the actions taken put their safety, and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates in jeopardy."

I agree. The policy even at banks is give them what they want, last thing the bank wants is having a gun fight inside the bank. Most banks now do not even have a police officer inside as they use to.

 

[joseephuss]

It won't be popular, but I agree that disciplinary action should take place. Not sure firing is what I would do, but some discipline for sure. Here's why:

"We appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, but the actions taken put their safety, and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates in jeopardy."

I just don't think you can make a blanket rule like that and expect it cover every single incident. Each situation is different. You have to look at the particulars in every episode. Non-action can also put people's lives in jeopardy.

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

I guess wal mart dosnt have the common sense to realize if not for these employees brave actions then they might have had several dead workers on there hands.
Another reason for Sam Walton to be turning over in the grave.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

Part of Wal-Mart's employee handbook probably says if somebody tries to rob you, you let them take what they want. People who rob stores generally don't want to shoot somebody, they just want to get what they're stealing and get out.

9 times out of 10 trying to play the hero like this is going to end up with somebody dead, and if they work there, they should know the policies of their employer.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Part of Wal-Mart's employee handbook probably says if somebody tries to rob you, you let them take what they want. People who rob stores generally don't want to shoot somebody, they just want to get what they're stealing and get out.

9 times out of 10 trying to play the hero like this is going to end up with somebody dead, and if they work there, they should know the policies of their employer.

[youtube]KU4xw7yj2D8[/youtube]

 

[Longboysfan]

It won't be popular, but I agree that disciplinary action should take place. Not sure firing is what I would do, but some discipline for sure. Here's why:

"We appreciate the intentions demonstrated by our associates in this situation, but the actions taken put their safety, and potentially the safety of our customers and other associates in jeopardy."

Hey. When he pulled out the gun all bets were off. This guy could have been a two time loser and his next trip to prison would have been his last.

That happened in the NYC area and there were employees executed over them seeing the guy.

They save Walmart from a blood bath.

If you think anything different then you go face down a person with a gun. When you finish cleaning your brown pants get back to me.

 

[Hostile]

I used to bust shoplifters for Sears here in Tucson. We had that same rule. However, I have no doubt whatsoever that if we had been forced to disarm someone in our Loss Prevention Office we would have been supported by the company.

Bottom line, other associates and customers were not harmed. 4 people did what they felt they had to. Stupid policies are ones that have no common sense or leniency for given circumstances.

I hope they sue big time.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I guess wal mart dosnt have the common sense to realize if not for these employees brave actions then they might have had several dead workers on there hands.
Another reason for Sam Walton to be turning over in the grave.

Nice avatar.

 

[CowboyDan]

Hey. When he pulled out the gun all bets were off. This guy could have been a two time loser and his next trip to prison would have been his last.

That happened in the NYC area and there were employees executed over them seeing the guy.

They save Walmart from a blood bath.

If you think anything different then you go face down a person with a gun. When you finish cleaning your brown pants get back to me.

This particular person did save Walmart from a blood bath. That doesn't mean every Walmart employee is as capable of the same thing. There's a reason they have the policy, and it's a legitimate one. As I said, I think firing is overly-harsh, but I do think discipline is appropriate. If you don't use discipline, you set a prescedent for the next time, and could be responsible for encouraging a blood bath.
That being said, to each his own. If you decide you are in danger and need to take action, so be it. I would do the same if I felt that I was in danger. But I wouldn't expect the company to encourage my behavior for every employee. And I would never take a bullitt for a company, if I could avoid it.

And Eddie Van Halen rules.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I used to bust shoplifters for Sears here in Tucson. We had that same rule. However, I have no doubt whatsoever that if we had been forced to disarm someone in our Loss Prevention Office we would have been supported by the company.

Bottom line, other associates and customers were not harmed. 4 people did what they felt they had to. Stupid policies are ones that have no common sense or leniency for given circumstances.

I hope they sue big time.

Ok, who stole Hostile's computer, that is not something he would normally be expected to type.

 

[Hostile]

Ok, who stole Hostile's computer, that is not something he would normally be expected to type.

The hell I wouldn't.

 

[MonsterD]

Part of Wal-Mart's employee handbook probably says if somebody tries to rob you, you let them take what they want. People who rob stores generally don't want to shoot somebody, they just want to get what they're stealing and get out.

9 times out of 10 trying to play the hero like this is going to end up with somebody dead, and if they work there, they should know the policies of their employer.

Not just wal-mart that is pretty much 100% of places like banks or other places, you never ever confront them to stop them. Sucks but these places have a ton of data on what is better to do less people die or get injured if you are passive, that is known history, unlike the poster above that thinks you should try being an action movie star.

 

[Vtwin]

From the linked article:

AP09 shows employees are allowed to use reasonable force to limit movements of struggling suspects. But if a gun comes out, associates must disengage and withdraw. In this case, withdraw where? These workers say they had nowhere to go and no other real option.

Also from the article:

He rushed the workers, pushing the gun into Stewart.

At that point it wasn't about loss of merchandise prevention but about loss of life prevention. The thief attacked an employee with a loaded handgun. WTH does management expect these employees to do in this situation? The thief wasn't trying to escape, he was engaging an employee with a deadly weapon.

The employees did the right thing. They did the only thing they could do.

 

[zrinkill]

Sad to see that Cowards are now making the policy.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

From the linked article:



Also from the article:



At that point it wasn't about loss of merchandise prevention but about loss of life prevention. The thief attacked an employee with a loaded handgun. WTH does management expect these employees to do in this situation? The thief wasn't trying to escape, he was engaging an employee with a deadly weapon.

The employees did the right thing. They did the only thing they could do.

The way I see it, once the guy took out the gun, rushed up to the employee and pressed the gun into/onto the employee...it is no longer trying to prevent a burglary, it is called self defense.

I understand not trying to rush unto the criminal if he pulls a gun out...that could result in the gun going off and hitting others. However if the gun is pulled out, the criminal rushes up to you and then presses the gun against you....that is self defense and I am sure most lawyers could win that case. Employee or Not at that point they are fighting for their life as they believe they are in danger of losing it.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Sad to see that Cowards are now making the policy.

The policy itself is not cowardly. It is trying to keep other employees, customers and humans safe.

However they need to realize there are special circumstances at play here.

Sounds like some guy in charge just being too rigid and stupid instead of looking at the circumstances here.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

I like how their policy says to disengage and withdraw if a gun comes out. As though the wielder of the gun is going to allow you to just be like "whoa now, I'm just going to walk away." :laugh2:

The policy itself is legit, but after reading what their policy actually says and considering that as was mentioned above, it was basically self defense at that point, no way should they have been fired.

I think you have to consider whether being fired from wal-mart is really such a bad thing though.

 

[Kangaroo]

I just don't think you can make a blanket rule like that and expect it cover every single incident. Each situation is different. You have to look at the particulars in every episode. Non-action can also put people's lives in jeopardy.

It gets people killed all the time because they do nothing