Walmart Monkey Junction shooting: Dean Michael Newman, Wilmington career criminal arrested shooting dead, Mark Thomas Paz, store worker trying to stop shoplifting.
A Walmart worker in Wilmington was shot dead after attempting to stop a suspect from shoplifting at a Monkey Junction store location.
Dean Michael Newman, 35, the alleged suspect was charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Mark Thomas Paz, 62, over the weekend.
According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, around 6 p.m. Saturday several Walmart employees tried to stop a suspect from shoplifting at the store located at 5135 Carolina Beach Road.
One employee dead after a shooting at the Monkey Junction Walmart in Wilmington https://t.co/twmA0gxV6Z
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Walmart policy towards store workers trying to stop shoplifters
A fight occurred and ‘the suspect brandished a firearm and fired one shot hitting a Walmart employee,’ according to the sheriff’s office.
Newman fled but was taken into custody after a sheriff’s deputy confronted the man in the parking lot.
Not immediately clear is Walmart’s store policy towards workers attempting to stop shoplifting and whether the outlet demands employees call police rather than attempt to confront alleged shoplifters.
Shoppers who witnessed the ‘chaotic scene’ unfold told WECT that people were running and fleeing.
‘It was pandemonium, everyone running,’ said Michael Juskin, who was shopping with his wife and child when the shot rang out.
‘It’s definitely scary. Definitely not something you would expect. We just literally got in, walked in, and that’s happening. I mean, it definitely opens your eyes,’ said Caden Warholic, who said he was about 10 feet from the shooting.
Offered a store worker across from the Walmart store: ‘They just started running across the parking lot. There were people running out of Walmart, and there were just a lot of cops coming up. He was a regular here (of the victim) it’s very sad to know he was a very sweet and nice person.’
Newman remained held at the New Hanover County jail with no bond and is expected to have his first court appearance Monday morning, stated Lt. Jerry Brewer, spokesman for the department, in a release.
Newman according to North Carolina adult correction records has an extensive criminal record, making him an ‘habitual felon,’ The StarNews Online reported.
Walmart released the following statement in response to the shooting:
‘We are heartbroken about what happened to Mark. Violence like this is unacceptable. We are focused on supporting our associates and will be offering on-site counseling services. The store is currently closed, and we continue to assist the authorities with their investigation.’
The Walmart Monkey Junction outlet was closed on Sunday and was slated to reopen on Monday.
