The Legal Examiner Affiliate Network The Legal Examiner The Legal Examiner The Legal Examiner search instagram avvo phone envelope checkmark mail-reply spinner error close The Legal Examiner The Legal Examiner The Legal Examiner
Skip to main content

A suspected shoplifter has died while being detained by security officers at a southern California Walmart store.

A man identified only as a Hispanic male died after a struggle with loss prevention personnel in the parking lot of a Walmart store at 1275 N. Azusa Ave. in Covina, CA on Friday afternoon.

According to The Sacramento Bee, the man attempted to steal clothes and body wash.

“While being detained in the parking lot, the suspect began fighting the loss prevention personnel,” said Deputy Peter Gomez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, whose Homicide Bureau detectives were called to investigate the death. “Covina Police Department personnel were called and responded. When the officers arrived, the suspect was being restrained by loss prevention officers. The Covina police officers saw the suspect appeared to be in medical distress and called for paramedics to respond. He was then transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.”

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the man’s cause of death.

“Any time there’s a loss of life, it’s a sad situation," said spokeswoman Dianna Gee in a statement. "We don’t know all of the facts right now, but we are cooperating with law enforcement and providing any information we have to assist in the investigation. The associates involved in the altercation are currently suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. We have crisis counselors available for associates who may be emotionally affected by this in any way.”

4 Comments

  1. Gravatar for Dariole Mechele Gordy
    Dariole Mechele Gordy

    I was done the same way at a Wal Mart in Lakewood CA. the only difference is that I had not taken anything, and they had a videotape that proved it and with held it from me for months. When we did get the videotape it was edited. But it did show that their Assoociates put bgs in my basket covering items on the bottom. The Loss Prevention person David Oldfield stole money from my purse, and also stole the money from the purchase I had made of $313. after he made an illegal conversion of my property. I spent four days in jail. Case no BC316418. they have taken advantage of my injuries and disabilities.. I am sorry that a man lost his life even if he was guilty, they do not have the right nor authority to use deadly force, like they did in my case. I will wear screws in my pelvic bones for the rest of my life. Wal Mart needs to revamp their policy and procedure, as they are negligent in the training that give their Loss Prevention. Further their policy and procedures are confusing as to what is permissable, and how much force that cn be used is ambiguous, two different standards. I was going to a bank that was in their Lakewood Store to make deposits and thought Id do a bit of shopping while I was there. I am saddened by the Lost. God Bless his family. A discount is not worth losing your life over. Ms. Dariole Gordy

  2. Gravatar for Cynthia
    Cynthia

    sorry for what happened to you, and this is straight knowledge of this particular store...sometimes these people come in stealing and when they get caught, they start swinging...These workers dont get paid enough to have to do a legit stop and worry that they are gonna get jumped or attacked in the process, but unfortunately it happens more often then you think.

  3. Gravatar for j.f.
    j.f.

    i was there and loss prevention did not use deadly force. the man was crazy. he was obviously high on something. the police, however, took over 30 minutes to respond to the call.

  4. Gravatar for laura
    laura

    IT WAS VERY SAD HOW THEY DID THIS MAN I SEEN IT ALL IN THE PARKING LOT THEY HOLD THAT POOR MAN IN THE HOT STREET NO SHAME EVERYONE WAS LIKE PUT THE MAN IN THE SHADE YOUR GOING TO KILL HIM .CUZZ HE WAS STEALING THE KILLED HIM .NO IF OR BUTS THEY KILLED HIM.

Comments for this article are closed.