" Since when do "Wal-Mart" employees have the right to handcuff a customer? If they had handcuffs, why not just pull out a '38 and shoot him? What'd he steal? a pack of gum? "

" If you have ever shop anywhere in Tulsa you would know that they have security personnel all over the city. Every Wal-mart, every shopping center, apartment complexes, etc. They are not police officers, just security. I'm sure that the hand cuffs were from the security officers. I go to Tulsa every weekend and a couple of time during the week. I was suprised to see so many security people every where. At night they are like roaches every where, gas stations, etc. Which I think is a good thing. So I'm sure it was not the employees who had put the hand cuffs on this man. To bad we don't have all these security people around here keeping an eye on people. "

" No, I didn't realize the fact that there are private security people in Tulsa. I can't afford the gas to go over there. LOL. Still, Wal-Mart uses their own security, Loss Prevention. Was this an LP person? anyone's guess. What I see is a lawsuit fixin to happen. Security is not a bad idea, but these are rent-a-cops, not certified law enforcement. That's the problem. If a law enforcement officer handcuffs a criminal, even if the officer is off duty, (he's technically still a policeman), and the person dies, he's reviewed for performance of duty. If a hired security guard does the same, with the same result, it will go before the courts in an entirely different light. I too am all for more security, especially after reading the paper lately. It's just that the security, and those hiring them need to understand the risk if someone is injured or dies. "

" One less criminal to worry about. "

" i for one know what a problem wal mart has with shop lifting i work for wal mart, most shop lifters a pro`s. they try carring tv sets out the door, they also cover electronic equipment in shopping carts baby clothing, coats or anything so we can not see what they have, the big problem is druggies trying to get a fix, going to get worse before it gets better "

" The store I worked at had off duty officers as security, however the store manager is so cheap that we only had security 4 nights a week. Since when are associates allowed to try to detain shop lifters? Agree that's a lawsuit in the making. "

" Would you all get a grip. Let's see what the coroner has to say. No one is qualified to make an educated statement (or un-educated in your cases) until all the facts are in. "

" A lot of Wal-Marts use off duty police officers, who keep their eyes also on shoplifters. They arrest shoplifters like this all the time. "

" Wait and see, if security is at fault, Walmart won't be paying! They never do...and American has no one to blame but themselves. Walmart is anti-American. "

" I used to work LP for Wal-Mart in Utah. I am not speaking for all Wal-Mart stores, but, we were trained by the Sheriff's Department on how to use our handcuff's. We were also told that when we apprehended someone and had to cuff them we were operating under some Retail Theft law that allowed private store owners to detain suspected shoplifters with the same "escalation of force" concept that police officers use. A shopkeeper has the right to protect his or her merchandise, and can detain a suspected shoplifter for a "reasonable amount of time" until police arrive. We could ask basic questions such as name, address, and stuff like that. We could also "for our safety", search a subject if we believed they had weapons on them that might endanger us or the shoplifter. So, the security/loss prevention associates were just doing their job as trained, and as covered by law. They all have certain "elements" they must see in order to even stop the subject. But here is my question, the news article states the subject was "found on the pavement in handcuffs" when police arrived. Where were the security associates at? Also, in our training we were told never to leave a subject handcuffed in a laid out position, because it can restrict the airway and cause a subject to have their oxygen supply cut-off. "

" It is bad enough that Wal-Mart has set the precident for low wages and abused workers, but now they are killing the shoppers. Let's run Wal-Mart out of the USA "

" The reality is that no matter what a man has lost his life and a family is with out a Dad, Son or whatever. My prayers are with his family. Remember we live in the US our troops are fighting for our freedom which includes innocent until proven guilty. No matter what his pass we are not the judge and jury. The only thing I don't understand is how could the Wal-Mart employees not see he was having problems and why didn't they call the ambulance. If so he might still be alive and all of this could of been avoided???!!!! I guess we won't know until all the evidence comes out. Again, think of this mans family..... "

" I say good for Wal-Mart! Criminals need to know that there can be harsh consequences for their actions. Too often criminals get a slap on the wrist and are right back on the streets committing crimes. Maybe if this person had received harsher punishment before he would not have been in this store to begin with. "

" I can't imagine why anyone would defend a shoplifter. After you read that he also has been in possession of drugs, etc. The man died in a way like he lived---stealing! "

" I don't believe that is defending when you up hold the constitutional rights of all citizens innocent until proven guilty and since when do you pay for shoplifting with your life? Do you know this man? Who are we to pass judgement without all the facts. To much is being said against Wal-Mart employees and the victim without enough FACTS..... "

" We are well on the way to being shot on sight. For what, you might ask. Well, anything, anything wal-mart decides you need to die for. "

" I am a Loss Prevention Detective in Va and i know different states have different laws. For the person who asked what a Loss Prevention person is or does i have your answer. We protect the guests who are shopping at our stores as well as protect the employees. Our goal is to also prevent shrink on the store, which keeps costs down for everyone, and we do that by stopping external (shoplifting) and internal (Employee) theft. You ask why woudl a company need to hire people to do this, and my question is simple. Do you really want to pay more for merchandise just due to people stealing? Would you as a store owner just allow people to walk out of your store with hundreds of dollars of merchandise and do nothing about it? We in Loss Prevention should be reconized for the job we do. We protect you physically and financialy! No we are not Police Officers but we take risks every time we detain a shoplifter. Most of us carry no form of weapon nor do we wear any type of bullet proof vest. We as L.P. personel always have in the back of our mind when we stop someone, do they have a weapon and will they us it on me? In my 6 years as an L.P. Detective i have been in many fights and have had knifes pulled out on me. Luckly i or the suspect have never been injured. Yes were needed. "

" the media misprinted what happened as usual. I myself am a assosciate at the store. The store itself has long since had problems with theft and robbery not supprising since its location. But what really happened is not quite reported accuarately. The man was seen leaving the store with food and other items on him and when cornered ran. a manager a two other personel who were nearby tackled him and brought him to the ground. After getting off of him he was found to have stopped breathing and immediately an ambulance and police were called. Now as for inocent till proven guilty, thats for law enforcment. A private citzen has every right to protect his or her property as in this situation. he now has faced conseqenses for his actions albiet the harshest. "

" To "I want to know" and others with similar questions. Storekeepers in Okla. have statutory authority to detain suspected shoplifters solely on the basis of probable cause, to investigate the suspected shoplifting and to recover the goods. They may also detain suspected shoplifters to await a police officer who may arrest whether the officer saw the offense or not. This privilege is available to the mom & pop storekeeper as well as the big chains. Most states have similar statutes. Hope this helps. "

" First of all, My thoughts and prayers go out to the family on the loss of life to this person. Caring for life should be our first concern. Second, I have been a Loss Prevention Officer for a number of years. The job is not a piece of cake by any means. I sympathize with Loss Prevention in their efforts to stop or detain those suspected of shoplifting for any reason. I guess the commandment "Thou shall not steal" was broken huh? If we don't have God's commandments in our heart and mind, things such as this will happen. There is more to life than what we think....Will we live up to what God expects us to be? We as a people, myself included, need to change our minds from all this stinkin' thinkin'. AMERICA NEEDS TO BLESS GOD INSTEAD OF GOD BLESS AMERICA because we have turned away from Him. Getting back to the subject.... I have had knives and guns pulled on me but I thakn God for my life. I am still here doing what I love to do. Even though our company has a "no touch, no chase" policy, we do have a right to protect ourselves also. We don't carry handcuffs either. We are to have a manager present with us on approach... Be safe everyone! No life is worth losing over any merchandise! "