LAYTON -- The shoplifter smashed Gabriel Stewart up against a wall. It didn't take him long to realize that pressure against his lower back was from a loaded gun held by a desperate man who didn't want to go to jail.
The gunman had a firm grip on Stewart's shoulder, telling him and three of his Walmart co-workers, "Don't make me do this."
"Absolutely, time stopped," Stewart told KSL News. "I didn't know what to do."
Instantly, Shawn Ray and Justin Richins kicked into gear, spinning the gunman around. Lori Poulsen ripped the gun away and secured it. They all held onto the man until police arrived minutes later.
The four Layton Walmart employees felt it was mission accomplished. Police officers told them they had done everything right.
But a week later, all four were fired from their jobs. Walmart said their actions had violated company policy and put their fellow workers and shoppers at risk.
This is ridiculous. The policy forbids employees to endanger themselves to protect merchandise. In this case, however, they were clearly fighting for their lives.
Shut down their switchboard! Call the Layton, UT store at (801) 546-1992 and ask for a "manager on duty." Tell him or her why you think the firing is wrong -- they were protecting lives, not merchandise.
The MOD will tell you to call media relations at 800-331-0085. So do that (choose "customer"), too, and tell them the same thing.
Then post here when you've done it.
Don't let them get away with firing their employees for exercising their fundamental human right to self defense.
