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November 31, 2008

Stampede of Shoppers Kill Worker At Wal-Mart
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In Long Island, New York, a worker at Wal Mart died after being trampled
to death by a stampede of shoppers on Friday, the traditional first day
of the holiday shopping season. The 34-year-old worker Jdimytai Damour
was killed after a crowd of 2,000 broke down store doors and ran over
him shortly before the store’s scheduled 5 a.m. opening. Four shoppers
were injured in the stampede including a pregnant woman. Nassau County
police were trying to determine what happened during the stampede, but
said it was unclear if there would be any criminal charges. Shoppers at
Wal-Mart described a chaotic scene at the store.

Lisa Williford: “It was mayhem. It was mayhem. It was a real mob. It was
a real mob and I was on the line at 10 minutes to four, so it was at
least four or five-thousand before I had even got here. So I think that
people were anxious. I’m going to get in. I’m going to get in. I’m going
to get in and I don’t think the security that they had was enough to
calm the crowd or make the crowd feel like you’re going to get your
turn.”



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