As Americans rushed to stores across the country for Black Friday deals, some got more than they bargained for as police have reported several instances of shootings, stabbings and beatdowns that have come to define the start of the American holiday season.
As Americans rushed to stores across the country for Black Friday deals, some got more than they bargained for as police have reported several instances of shootings, stabbings and beatdowns that marred the start of the holiday season.
At a Kohl's department store in Romeoville, Illinois, an alleged shoplifter was shot by police after he tried to flee the parking lot with a carriage full of stolen goods Thursday evening. The Chicago Tribune reports that after police received a report of a theft in progress, they caught up with the alleged thieves outside the store. But as an officer almost stopped one of the men from escaping in a Pontiac Sunfire, his arm became stuck in the car's door and the suspect then dragged the officer across the parking lot until a bullet from another officer's service weapon stopped the suspect.
The alleged thief was expected to survive the gunshot, according to an ABC News report, and he along with two others were facing charges. The police officer who was dragged through the parking lot was treated and released from a hospital.
In Las Vegas, the local CBS affiliate reports that a shopper was shot as he made his way home with a television purchased from a Target department store. According to police there, the victim was walking with his TV when he was approached by a man who fired "warning shots" and demanded he turn over the goods.
The man complied, but when he pleaded to get his TV back, he was instead shot in the legs. The victim is reportedly being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, but the gunman is still out there as no arrests have been made.
At a Wal-Mart in Rialto, California, several injuries were reported as a result of at least three fights at the retailer. According to NBC Los Angeles, one brawl outside on Thanksgiving was due to men trying to cut the line of hundreds of people waiting to enter. In that fight, a police officer broke his wrist trying to stop the melee while two other unrelated fights took place inside the store, as patrons fought over discounted merchandise.
At a Wal-Mart store in Virginia, two men were arrested after a fight over a parking space led one to allegedly use a knife to cut the other, according to the NBC affiliate there. The victim was cut to the bone, although an arrest has been made in that case.
In Elkin, North Carolina, a video posted to YouTube appears to show a screaming mob of people turning on each other over a pile of discounted flat-screen TVs. The person who posted the video says he was booted from the store for capturing the madness with a recording.
Wal-Mart, which has been under fire as employees have held protests in demanding better wages and working conditions, was on the defensive Thursday evening, and CEO Bill Simon spent significant time Friday defending the company's decision to open on Thanksgiving, forcing thousands of employees across the country to potentially miss holiday meals with their families.
Additionally, as demonstrations at Wal-Mart stores took place alongside the buying frenzy, Vice President of Communications David Tovar released a statement defending the company and it's pay structure, saying 2013 represented the "most successful Black Friday in Walmart's history."