Two teens rob, carjack, and kidnap man in Florida Walmart parking lot

Occurred December 26, 2014.

(screenpic source)

A customer had just left a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Winter Springs, Florida, and was getting into his car when he was accosted by two 18-year old boys armed with handguns.  They stole his wallet and keys and forced him into the car, drove him to an ATM to force him to retrieve money, kidnapped him in the back of his car, then left him at a facility before fleeing.

The two were caught soon after by police.  Luckily the victim was not seriously injured.

From an article:

A trip to the grocery store would take 28-year-old Jardin Delman on another trip that would include being duct taped.

Early Monday morning, Seminole County deputies responded to a robbery and kidnapping. Delman reported that around 12:30 a.m. two men armed with handguns confronted him in the parking lot of Walmart Neighborhood Market on Red Bug Lake Road.

The men demanded the Delman's wallet and car keys and then forced him into the backseat of his black 2011 Mercedes-Benz. The pair then drove the stolen vehicle to a nearby bank and forced the victim to withdraw $240 from his account.

The men then drove to a residential care facility, Impower, at 3800 Dike Road in Winter Park. Once there, they duct taped Delman's eyes and hands, placed him in the trunk of the vehicle and drove around for several hours.

Shortly after 4 a.m., the men returned to the residential care facility, removed Delman from the trunk, placed him in a rolling chair and locked him in the bathroom. The men then fled in the stolen Mercedes-Benz.

Two other men who live in the facility were able to free Delman and called 911. He did not sustain any physical injuries.

Deputies in the area quickly spotted the stolen vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, James Burgado, 18, of Winter Park, was taken into custody. The passenger, Jayland Harrison, 18, of Winter Park, fled on foot and was apprehended a short time later by an SCSO K-9 Unit.

Burgado and Harrison were charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, carjacking and assault. They were booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on no bond, but leaving shoppers questioning their safety at their neighborhood market.

"For something like that to happen to someone, that's scary," said shopper Steven Huff.
"You wouldn't think that you would need to be aware of your surroundings like that," said shopper Nicole Small.

The pair are scheduled to be in court for their first appearance hearing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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Three boys caught stealing guns from Florida Walmart store

Occurred December 24, 2014.

Scene of children stealing guns at Florida Walmart (source)

On Christmas Eve, three boys, ages 12, 13, and 16, entered a Walmart store in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, and drew the attention of security as they "cased the store."  The three boys then shoplifted a number of items, including three handguns and part of a rifle.  When they tried to leave the store, security and police confronted the boys and arrested the two youngest immediately and the oldest after he tried to flee.

From the look of the picture to the right, from the link below, at least one of the handguns may have been a realistic-looking Airsoft pellet gun.

From an article and news video:

Guns stolen by the boys

Three juveniles were arrested Saturday at the Walmart store on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach after they attempted to steal weapons, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The trio were met by PBSO deputies as they left the store.

Walmart's loss prevention staff noticed the 12, 13 and 16-year-olds "casing" the store, according to PBSO, notified the sheriff's office and locked down the store.

Officials say all three juveniles fled from the store with deputies awaiting them around the perimeter of the building.

The 16-year-old fled on foot and was quickly captured by a K-9 officer. PBSO says the other two juveniles were captured without incident.

All three suspects have been transported to JAC unit and will be charged with Retail Grand Theft. The 16-year-old will also be charged with Resisting Arrest.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.


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Conceal carry permit holder shot to death by her 2-year old in Idaho Walmart

Occurred December 30, 2014.

Scene of fatal shooting at Hayden Walmart (source)

(UPDATED - See below)

A 29-year old woman, Veronica J. Rutledge, was shopping with her four children in a Walmart store in Hayden, Idaho, when her 2-year old boy reached into her purse, grabbed a loaded, unsecured handgun, and shot her to death with it.

The woman had a conceal carry permit.  This is at least the 11th incident this year caused by a conceal carry permit holder in Walmart stores, and at least the 30th since I've started keeping track.  See HERE.  And I only know of one incident were a concealed carry permit shooting at a Walmart store was actually deemed as self defense.  So, Walmart, why do you still allow this dangerous practice in your stores?

From an article:

Veronica J. Rutledge, 29, was shopping with her son and three other children, Kootenai County sheriff's spokesman Stu Miller said. Rutledge was from Blackfoot in southeastern Idaho, and her family had come to the area to visit relatives.

She had a concealed weapons permit. Miller said the young boy was left in a shopping cart, reached into his mother's purse and grabbed a small-caliber handgun, which discharged one time.

Deputies who responded to the Wal-Mart found Rutledge dead, the sheriff's office said.
"It appears to be a pretty tragic accident," Miller said.

The victim's father-in-law, Terry Rutledge, told The Associated Press that Veronica Rutledge "was a beautiful, young, loving mother."

"She was not the least bit irresponsible," Terry Rutledge said. "She was taken much too soon."

The woman's husband was not in the store when the shooting happened at about 10:20 a.m. Miller said the man arrived shortly after the shooting. All the children were taken to a relative's house.

The shooting occurred in the Wal-Mart in Hayden, Idaho, a town about 40 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington. The store closed and was not expected to reopen until Wednesday morning.

Brooke Buchanan, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said in a statement the shooting was a "very sad and tragic accident."

It is very sad and tragic, and unintentional, but it wasn't an "accident" as I define it since it was completely avoidable.  There are a lot of lessons to be learned here.  The gun wasn't secured.  It was around children.  It was loaded.  And Walmart didn't have to allow the carrying of guns in their stores.  All of these factors increase the risk.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

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UPDATE (12/31/14):   The purse where the gun had been stored was specially made for storing a concealed handgun and was given to her this Christmas by her husband.  Both the woman and her husband were very experienced with guns and guns played a big part in their lives.  From an article:

Terry Rutledge, Veronica's father-in-law, told The Spokesman-Review that the boy unzipped the special gun compartment in the woman's purse where the weapon was kept while she was looking at clothing.

Terry Rutledge said his 29-year-old daughter-in-law did not put the weapon "loosely into her purse."

Victoria Rutledge had a concealed weapons permit, and guns were a big part of Rutledge's life, her father-in-law said. ....

Terry Rutledge told The Washington Post that Veronica Rutledge and her husband practiced at shooting ranges and each had a concealed weapons permit. He said for Christmas this year, her husband gave her the purse with a special zippered pocket for a concealed weapon.

About 7 percent of adults in Idaho had concealed weapons permits at the end of 2012, according to the Crime Prevention Research Center in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. That ranked Idaho among the top third of states.

UPDATE (1/1/15):  A good article on the local gun culture that contributed to this tragedy.
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Shoplifter threatens Walmart employee with gun in Washington state

Occurred December 26, 2014.

Scene of armed shoplifting at Lacey Walmart (screenshot source)

(UPDATED -- See below)

A man by the name of Jonathan Langford entered a Walmart store in Lacey, Washington, and tried to shoplift a Dyson vacuum cleaner.  When a security guard confronted him and took him to the security office, Langford pulled out a handgun and threatened him with it, then fled through the store waving the gun, sending shoppers running in panic.

After a "small tussle," Langford fled with the help of a getaway driver.

Luckily, no shots were fired.

He is still at large.

From an article and news video:

Langford had people running for the doors on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

He was pulled into the security office for attempting to steal a Dyson vacuum Friday afternoon. That’s when he pulled out the handgun and ran from the store.

"He pulled the gun from his waistband, a small tussle ensued, and from there -- he fled the building,” said Detective Miguel Stansberry with the Lacey Police Department.

Customers saw Langford with that gun as he left the Walmart.

"We heard a lady come screaming, and then we saw a whole bunch of people coming toward the back of the store,” said Nathaniel Hemby, a shopper.

No shots were fired.

Lacey Police Department says Langford got into a car and drove out of the lot.

Detectives are investigating the store.

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UPDATED (12/30/14):   The suspect, Jonathan Langford, was arrested in Astoria, Oregon, and will be extradited.

Two drunk men shoot up Idaho Walmart store with a BB gun

Occurred December 24, 2014.


Two intoxicated men entered a Walmart store in Post Falls, Idaho, removed a BB gun and BBs from the packaging inside the store, then shot up the store with the gun.  They were soon arrested.

Apparently there weren't any injuries.

From an article:

It happened overnight when the two males walked into the store and took a brand new BB gun out of its box.

Police said they then loaded the gun and fired four separate times while inside the store.

The two eventually walked up to a loss prevention officer and asked if he wanted to join them.

They then walked out of the store, but several officers and a deputy were able to locate and arrest the two men.

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Walmart workers shot at while in parking lot of store in California

Occurred December 23, 2014.


Two Walmart employees were working outside their store in Stockton, Walmart, when they were shot at from a nearby house.  Luckily, they took cover and were not hit.

From an article:

Two employees of the Walmart on East Hammer Lane were working outside behind the store around 10:09 p.m. Tuesday when they heard gunshots and the “whiz” of bullets flying past them, police reported.

They quickly took cover inside the store, unsure where the shots were coming from. They described hearing three to four gunshots from what sounded like a .22-caliber weapon, according to a report.

Video surveillance recorded muzzle flashes from a house nearby, and responding officers checked the residence but no one came to the door. And no shell casings were found around the home, according to police.

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Gunmen attempt robbery of Walmart shoppers in Louisiana

Occurred December 22, 2014.

(UPDATED -- See below)

Two people were in their car in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Covington, Louisiana, when three men approached.  The men pulled out a handgun and tried to rob the occupants of the car.  When the victims yelled for help, though, the robbers fled.

From an article:

Authorities said the two victims told deputies they were sitting in their vehicle in the parking lot of the store on U.S. 190 when two or three men approached. One of the men appeared to be armed with a Glock handgun, the sheriff's office said.

When one of the victims yelled for help, the sheriff's office said the suspects ran away.

The suspects last were seen running toward Home Depot and the Ibis Trail Apartments. A K-9 was called in to assist in the search, but could not locate the suspects.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

UPDATE (12/27/14):   Two teen boys, ages 15 and 17, have been arrested for the armed robbery.  From an article:

Shawn Miller, 17, was booked Wednesday in the St. Tammany Parish jail with attempted armed robbery with a firearm and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday (Dec. 26). The 15-year-old was booked in the Florida Parish Juvenile Detention Center with attempted armed robbery, authorities said.

The article didn't mention how the boys got the gun.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

One dead and two injured in shooting at Mississippi Walmart

Occurred December 23, 2014.

Scene of fatal shooting at Clarksdale Walmart (screenshot source)

(UPDATED -- See below)

Three young men were in a Walmart store in Clarksdale, Mississippi, when they got into an argument with four other young men.

The argument spilled out into the parking lot, and the three men got into a vehicle.  That's when the other men pulled out a gun and shot the three in the car, then fled.

One of the three victims, aged 23, died from multiple gunshots at the scene.  The other two, ages 19 and 20, were wounded and taken to a hospital.

From an article:

Clarksdale Police said a 23-year-old Black man was shot multiple times in his upper torso and died from his injuries.

A 19-year-old Black male was shot in the neck and another Black male, age 20, was shot in the back, police said.

Both victims were taken to an area hospital. Their conditions are unknown. A witness told FOX13 News his cousin and two other passengers were sitting in the vehicle and another driver approached their vehicle. A gunman got out and shot the 23-year-old, who was a passenger in the back seat and then shot his 20-year-old cousin in the neck, who was sitting in the driver's seat. The 19-year-old who was sitting in the front passenger seat was then shot in the back.

Police said it appeared to be some type of confrontation inside the Walmart between the victims and four young Black male subjects. The shooting occurred once the victims were out in the parking lot.

Police said it appears to be a targeted shooting and not a random shooting.

There is no suspect information and the shooting remains under investigation.

From another article:

Investigators worked overnight to find the people who opened fire just two days before Christmas

"It's the wrong time for that. Within two days of the birth of Jesus Christ, and people still killing each other," said James Parks.

Investigators say an argument broke out inside the store, spilling over into the parking lot where several shots were fired.

"Could have hit anybody. Makes me want to get in my car and leave," Parks added.

Police say Tuesday's shooting was targeted. They're searching for three or four men who drove off in a dark colored SUV.

Nancy Bailey added, "You're kind of afraid for your life trying to come out and do what you need to do for the holidays. That's scary."

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

UPDATE (12/26/14):  The main suspect in the case, 19-year old Christin Trey Allen, also known as Trey Pulley, turned himself in to custody.

A second person, James Thompkins, has also been charged as an accessory to the crime.  Around 20 shots had been fired. 

Police detective commits suicide by gun in California Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 27, 2014.


A Los Angles Police detective, Dennis Derr, committed suicide in his car, while parked in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Palmdale, California.  He was facing accusations of molesting two female relatives who were teens at the time of the alleged abuse.

From an article:

Dennis Derr, 52, was found in his car in the parking lot of a Walmart in Palmdale on Thanksgiving morning, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, news outlets reported. 

The Los Angeles Times said Derr was a 17-year LAPD veteran, and a detective since 2006. Derr was assigned to the Van Nuys division of the LAPD, the paper said, and had worked on a team that handled sexual assault cases. 

He had also served as a pastor or bible studies teacher at two churches, his son Philip told the paper. 

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department sergeant confirmed two adults had made sexual abuse allegations against Derr. 

The abuse had allegedly occurred when they were teenagers, the Times reported. 

The relatives informed Derr's wife of the abuse, Philip Derr said. She wrote her husband a note saying she was aware of the allegations, and left the family home while he slept, Philip Derr said. 

Dennis Derr wrote an email to family members the following morning, Nov. 27, making what the paper described as "a vague denial'' of the allegations, and suggesting he had decided to kill himself. 

His body was discovered later that day.

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Gunman tries to carjack a customer at Florida Walmart

Occurred December 2, 2014.


A shopper at a Walmart store at the Leesburg- Fruitland Park border in Florida was getting into her car when a man approached her, threatened her with a handgun, and tried to carjack her.  The woman fought back, and the man instead stole her purse. 

The man was struck by another vehicle, however, and attacked by witnesses, dropping the purse, but he escaped.

From an article:

A male suspect approached a 42-year-old woman who was getting into her car parked in the middle of the store's lot, said Fruitland Park police Lt. Beckie Sirolli.

The man pointed a handgun at the woman's face and attempted to break into the locked backseat of her car, Sirolli said. The woman started screaming and tried to get out of her car, prompting the suspect to push her back into the car.

After some struggle, the woman was able to exit her car but the suspect grabbed her purse and ran.

"As a consolation prize because he couldn't get into her vehicle, he took her purse," Sirolli said.

But the suspect made it about two aisles over in the parking lot before he was struck by a Chevy pickup. He dropped, rolled and continued running while two to three men, who witnessed the incident, chased and struck him in the face.

The suspect then dropped the woman's purse and managed to run into the nearby wooded area, where officers continue to search for him, Sirolli said.

"It was enough time for him to disappear," she said.

In two separate incidents between 1 to 3 p.m. today, Sirolli said two suspects were caught and arrested for shoplifting. Nobody was injured in these incidents. She said this type of frequent crime is not common at that Walmart.

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Men fire gun during shoplifting of TV at Dallas Walmart

Occurred November 18, 2014.


Two men went into a Walmart store in Dallas and attempted to shoplift a TV.  When store security confronted the men, the men threatened the employees with a gun and fired the gun in the air, then fled.

A police chase ensued, eventually capturing both suspects, one of whom accidentally fired his gun.

From an article and news video:

It started at the Walmart in Cedar Hill and ended near Interstate 20 on Camp Wisdom Road in Southwest Dallas.

Police say two men each stole a television from the store around 2:15 a.m. and employees chased them into the parking lot. One suspect showed an employee his gun and fired it into the air.

No one was hurt, but Dallas police say the suspects sped away in a green Toyota Camry.

Cedar Hill officers caught up with them six blocks away and chased them into a Southwest Dallas neighborhood, where the men crashed into a parked car and a fence.

The suspects ran away from the scene while the Dallas Police Department's helicopter and Cedar Hill's K-9 unit were dispatched. A police K-9 found one of the suspects; the chopper found the other.

The second suspect's gun discharged by accident while he was arrested, but no one was injured.

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