Wal Mart Fires Employees For Saving People From Gunman

AOL News - Four Wal-Mart employees have been fired after management said they violated company policy by disarming an alleged shoplifter who had pulled a gun inside the store.
Lori Poulsen, Justin Richins, Shawn Ray and Gabriel Stewart were all longtime workers at Wal-Mart's Layton, Utah, store. Poulsen was an asset protection coordinator, Richins and Ray were asset protection associates, and Stewart was an assistant manager.

On Jan. 13, employees allegedly witnessed a man identified as Trent Allen Longton take a netbook computer out of the package and stuff it under his shirt. When Longton attempted to leave the store, he was confronted by Poulsen, who escorted him to a nearby office. The two were joined there by Ray, Richins and Stewart, Salt Lake City's Deseret News reported.


Inside the office, Longton allegedly pulled out a loaded handgun and ran toward the office door, which was blocked by Ray, Richins and Stewart. Longton then allegedly grabbed Stewart and shoved the gun into his back. Concerned for their safety, the workers reacted forcefully and disarmed Longton.

In the police incident report, the investigating officer noted that the Wal-Mart employees acted in the "best interest and safety" of those around them. Longton, as it turned out, was a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Wal-Mart managers, however, disagreed. The following week, the four workers were fired for violating the company's "Investigation and Detention of Shoplifters Policy." The policy instructs employees to retreat if an individual brandishes a weapon.


Let me start this by saying I LOVE WAL MART. I know its bad for small business, I know that there are a lot of disgusting people that shop/work there but theres something about it that makes me never pass up an opportunity to go. Might be the people watching. That aside Wal Mart really screwed this up. These employees should be rewarded not fired. I understand that its policy that thats not how its supposed to be handled but come on. These employees arguably saved lives and even the police say they acted in the "best interest & safety". Something tells me to if these employees had "retreated" like it says in the handbook that netbook computer was going to be coming out of there minimum wage pay checks. Damned if you do damned if you don't. Personally, I've always wanted to be thrust into a situation where I have to be a hero, save a life, catch a fugitive etc. so I would totally act on it like these employees did. If that means I'll be looking for a new job than so be it.