The Wal-Mart in Dunwoody, Georgia, is being sued by the mother of a shoplifter who was killed by employees two years ago. On December 19, 2009, 38-year-old Marty Jerome Bridges put about $300 worth of sporting goods inside his clothing and was headed towards the checkout area of the store when a Wal-Mart “loss prevention specialist” and other Wal-Mart workers intervened.

 

After the stolen items were taken from Bridges, he broke free and tried to run away. Caught again, Bridges wound up face down on the floor while three employees and a customer pinned him until police could arrive. Unable to breathe, Bridges went into spasms and died. Bridges’ mother, Louise Rankin, alleges in her lawsuit against the retailer that the local medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Beaten to Death for Shoplifting (by Lisa Coston, Courthouse News Service)

Estate of Marty Jerome Bridges v. Wal-Mart (Superior Court, Cobb County, Georgia) (pdf)

Alleged Wal-Mart Shoplifter Dies after Scuffle with Store Cops (by Christian Boone, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)