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Walmart Employee Shot in Saturday IncidentService dog apparently at center of disputeANCHORAGE - A Walmart employee is in the hospital after being shot in the Midtown store Saturday afternoon. Sgt. Cameron Hokenson said an off-duty officer was in the store when he heard a gunshot and heard other customers yelling someone had been shot in the sporting goods section. The suspect fled in a motorized wheelchair but was apprehended just outside the store. Sgt. Hokenson says the suspect is a double-amputee and was in the store with his service dog. Witnesses say there was a dispute between the suspect and the employee because the service dog was not on a leash and the suspect was asked to leave the store. Police say the man shot the employee with a handgun in the stomach. The employee was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Walmart closed the sporting goods section while officers investigated but the rest of the store remained open to customers.
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Bruce Bartleby Barthalemew said on Tuesday, Mar 19 at 12:11 PM
Well, I can tell you from experience that this was an absolutely dangerous situation. Being from the outback there's no telling what kind of danger that lurks around the bend. But a man getting shot is everyday ho-hum in the outback. No, it's the visual landmine your eyes step onto whilst walking through your local Wal-Mart. Jiminy Christmas! It's like the whole ugly of Anchorage sent a mass email that at any given point they will descend upon Wally World and emulsify the senses, all the while wearing poor public dress....ew. And I thought dragon slayin' was rough...(please read in Australian accent)
116461071Double Standard said on Sunday, Mar 17 at 6:22 PM
I have also noticed customers in that mid-town Wal-Mart openly walking around the store with small dogs in purses and carrying bags. They were definitely not service dogs - they definitely were not leashed. They were viewed by countless employees, but no one said anything. This is a double standard. Were I the attorney representing the accused, I would definitely check this out and ask a lot of qustions.
116301761Saddened said on Sunday, Mar 17 at 5:33 PM
This is a really difficult situation, and I find it very sad. I have seen the gentleman charged in the store several times; there never was any issue that I observed. I have also observed this particular assistant manager being a little aggressive. On the whole, the employees at the mid-town Wal-mart are excellent - excellent customer service and courtesy. It appears there are a few "managers" who have let their titles go to their head. I am extremely sorry this employee was shot; I am also extremely sorry that this customer felt he was pushed to the point of taking such action. The ADA does not mandate that service dogs be marked; it does, however, stipulate that they must be on a leash unless there is a physical reason that the owner cannot use the leash. It's so easy to "second guess" someone, but I believe I would have just gotten a leash for the customer to use while he was in the store.
116298952andy said on Sunday, Mar 17 at 8:49 AM
Amazing, how fast can you go in A motorized wheelchair?
116261902first said on Sunday, Mar 17 at 7:52 AM
I don't even know how to comment on this other than all other comments hit the nail on the head and all i can say about the incident is REALLY?
116258531A service dog owner said on Saturday, Mar 16 at 8:47 PM
I have a service dog. We owners have the responsibility to have them on a leash. The employees don't make it an issue unless its a dog walking around the store (ie: a small yorkie in a cart is not a big deal). I pray the employee is ok. The owner needs to be made responsible for what he did.
116229801Piper Cheyrese Moritz said on Saturday, Mar 16 at 7:51 PM
Just a few short blocks from where I live... creepy.
116227522Beverly Phillips said on Saturday, Mar 16 at 6:07 PM
Wow sad that somebody would resort to this kind of violence, regardless of their physical status.I hope the walmart employee is ok. This offender needs a check up from the neck up. Stupid and uncalled for!!!!!!!!
116221922Susie said on Saturday, Mar 16 at 5:04 PM
Sad. Sounds like a desperate move by someone with hard life experiences. Very poor choice to resolve a conflict. I hope the wallmart employee is OK. (and the dog too) I'm assume this person will be put away for a long time.
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