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Published: 2011-11-25 11:40:00
Updated: 2011-11-25 13:01:34

Posted: November 25, 2011

Shoppers pepper-sprayed at Kinston Walmart

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Kinston, N.C. — A disturbance involving Walmart shoppers at a store in Kinston Thursday night prompted off-duty police officers to arrest a former police officer and to use pepper spray to calm the crowd.

Shopper Angel Bunting said the incident began when a man waiting in line for discounted cellphones fell into a display

But authorities said customers became restless and a fight broke out among them as employees were setting up the electronics display.

Gordon Jackson, 58, a former Kinston police officer, was arrested. Police said he didn't follow instructions.

Jackson said there wasn't a fight and that people were jockeying for position in line. He said a police officer over-reacted by using pepper spray.

"He was raining it over the whole crowd, so it will rain down on their heads," Jackson told WNCT-TV. "Some of it got my granddaughter in her face and eyes, and she had to go the emergency room because she's asthmatic."

  • Web Editor: Anne Johnson
Copyright 2011 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

84 Comments


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Latest Comments
>>>Yes, just what we need, more laws to control social behavior. or lack thereof.
quaten
November 25, 2011 8:00 p.m.
"Black Friday needs to be outlawed."

Yes, just what we need, more laws to control social behavior.
Click to view my profile RWS
November 25, 2011 7:53 p.m.
The black friday shopping concept is a simple example of marketing run amok. It should be discontinued. The very thought of a first-come-first-serve free-for-all shopping-frenzy on deep bargains seems to always draw out the worst of the worst of civil behaviour.

There always seems to be a need for police presence to control the mob of shoppers.

What a rotten way to start the holidays.
quaten
November 25, 2011 7:30 p.m.
I agree with the posters that blame Wal Mart for this. No doubt Wal Mart sent their goons out to round up people and force them at gun point to come in and spend money.

And I agree the postesr saying the cops should be more like the ones back in grandpa and grandmas day. Using fire hoses and dogs on people, turning a blind eye to lynchings, being on the take from the mob like so many were in new York and Chicago.

Some posters are delusional. Cops today get more training than any group of law enforcement officers ever have. Many departments will not hire you without a 2 year degree in BLET. And if people didn't come into Wal Mart screaming "I want to buy!", Wal mart wouldn't be open.
Dat MoFo
November 25, 2011 7:27 p.m.
Black Friday needs to be outlawed.
Big D 87
November 25, 2011 7:10 p.m.
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