Most new Wal-Marts come fully equipped with interior and exterior cameras trained on the shopping floors and on the parking lot. Although no retailer likes to talk about its “crime problem”, the fact is, large parking lots and huge stores attract more than shoppers. The Associated Press headline today read: “1 DEAD, 3 HURT IN SHOOTING AT ILL. WAL-MART”. A 33 year old woman, Laura Gassaway, was blown away by police officers inside a Wal-Mart. Gassaway had apparently tried to buy some bullets at Wal-Mart, but store clerks would not sell to her because she did not possess an Illinois firearm owner’s ID. Gassaway then began shoplifting. Wal-Mart security guards escorted her to an office, where she reportedly drew a gun from her purse and started shooting at three Wal-Mart associates. The police entered the office, saw the shooting, and opened fire on Ms.Gassaway. When Gassaway refused to drop her gun,police say, they fired 21 shots, killing her on the spot. The Rockford Police chief told the media that Gassaway was pregnant.
For more information about crime incidents at Wal-Mart and other big box stores, see the book “Slam Dunking Wal-Mart: How You Can Stop Superstore Sprawl in Your Hometown.” To order call toll-free 1-877-DUNK WAL.
