Woman says group beat her in store

Boston.com ^ | February 13, 2007 | Suzanne Smalley, Globe Staff

[jjm2111]

She had gone to Target with her brother and sister-in-law to buy a DVD player for their new house, and had decided to go off on her own. She was looking over women's blouses when a young girl brushed past her. The girl angrily demanded an apology. The woman was taken aback and refused, according to her account, and tried to turn her attention back to the rack of clothes.

[snip]

Sanchez said some store employees were present when the fight began and didn't try to intervene.

"They didn't do nothing, nothing whatsoever," Sanchez said. "The manager didn't respond when I told her about it. She said, 'We told our employees not to get involved so they won't get hurt.' "

Employees at the store declined to comment, though a spokesman for the franchise released a statement.

[Bob J]

"I'd have 'intervened' as well. With relish."

Beating up on women your speed? How about four 6'2" ex cons?

[spunkets]

Well, I can't see charging the 10 y/o with the most serious crime. It was the 20, 16 and 14y/o, that mounted and ran the attack. They should have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon if at all, especially hte 20 y/o. If the child's foot's a deadly weapon, they used the child and her foot.

Re: the area

I could tell from the story.

[Anti-Bubba182]

The main advantage in charging the 10yr old is that she is a juvenile and won't face adult punishment. The fix could be in on this thing.

[Bob J]

Basically what we are discussing here is each individuals personal comfort/safety level. I've presented to several people (who heatedly claim they would jump into this situation) a scenario much more dangerous to their own well being than a couple of teenage chicks having a catfight in a Target store.

Not one has answered. We know why. Most people, particularly those here on FR, would be willing to interject themselves into a situation that appears unfair, as long as they had a pretty good feeling they themselves wouldn't be hurt...at least too badly. But everyone has a line they would think twice at crossing.

This is the point. That line is subjective and personal to each individual. Just because your line is a bit further up or down the danger scale doesn't make you a bigger hero or coward.

Some hear proudly claim their untested heroism by claiming they would jump into a teenage catfight. Wow, I'm impressed.

Bravery and heroism, in day to day life as in battle, is not determined by staying on the safe side of your comfort quotient, wherever you personally place it. It's when you take action believing there is considerable danger to yourself, possibly even death, that is the definition of heroism. And no one knows how they would really react until put into that situation.

So all this talk of what we would or wouldn't do is just a bunch of hot air. Come back when you have something real to talk about. Other than that, have a nice day.

[ellen_rometsch]

I think I'm offended because someone would put me in a DVG.

Darlin' taking offense is what Designated Victims Groups "do." That's the whole point in being in one.

We haven't even heard this woman speak yet, so who's to say what her mindset is about all of this.

Point well taken -- let's follow this story and see.

What would you do if you were victimized in a business establishment and no one in that establishment came to your aid? I guess you'd chalk it up to experience?

No, I'ld be mad as hell but since I'm a member of a Designated Oppressor Group no one would care at least no one in the D.A.'s Office or the Boston Globe. In fact, as a member of a DOG I don't think I'm even allowed to use the word victimized in reference to myself.

[brytlea]

Well, I teach 4th graders, most of whom are 10, and I think I could take on a pack of 'em, but at least I would try!
susie

[brytlea]

Hope you're never in a position to need help. Someone might simply call the authorities, take notes and watch you get thrashed or worse.
susie

[brytlea]

Apparently, on the assumption that they MIGHT be armed, or they MIGHT be gang bangers, we are to stand back while people are attacked, beaten, whatever. But please, be sure to take notes. /sarc.
susie

[brytlea]

You have turned this, interestingly, into something it is not. People have simply commented on this particular situation, that is, some pretty young girls attacking and beating a woman in a store. Not gangbangers in a dark ally. Not machete carrying death squads in Africa.
You have made clear that you would not intervene in the case at hand (10 year olds in a store). And you have the audacity to demand people tell you what they would do with a broomstick against gangbangers?

susie

[brytlea]

I recall a lawsuit against a Walmart in Tyler TX because an employee was abducted from the parking lot after work and murdered. I am pretty sure Walmart settled. So, there does appear to be some merit to the idea that you could sue them if you were attacked inside their store.
susie

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

How about four 6'2" ex cons?

Bring it.

I don't care who they are/were.
If they were beating up on a woman in a Target store I would not hesitate to grab any hard object at my disposal and cleave the skull of at least two of them right off the bat.

I'm 6' 4" and 259 lbs. and have tussled with ex-cons before. No worries.

[brwnsuga]

I'm not a victim nor will I ever be AND I take acception to being placed by you or anyone else- in a group I did not choose to call myself. Waaaaah, no one cares because you're a DOG. Enjoy your status, lady, it affords you more than you care to admit.

[DoraTheExplorer]

Apples to oranges comparison....if I saw preteens beating a woman in Target, I would definitely step in whether or not I was an associate, whether or not I made minimum wage.

[ellen_rometsch]

Enjoy your status, lady, it affords you more than you care to admit.

"And reap his old reward:
The blame of those ye better,
The hate of those ye guard--"

[jess35]

I find it disturbing that you think it's laudable to stand by and watch an attack and think you're taking the high road by avoiding a possible lawsuit. People like you are why those little thugs get away with their behavior.

[jess35]

Apparently, you're having a difficult time grasping the subject. This involves someone who is standing by watching an attack within several feet of them, not several thousand miles away.

[spunkets]

"I recall a lawsuit against a Walmart in Tyler TX because an employee was abducted from the parking lot after work and murdered. I am pretty sure Walmart settled. So, there does appear to be some merit to the idea that you could sue them if you were attacked inside their store."

I don't know of any lawsuit. Ms Holden was abducted in the parking lot, as she went to her car. There's no grounds to sue wally world for the criminal acts of others. MS Holden was essentially carjacked.

[spunkets]

"I find it disturbing that you think it's laudable to stand by and watch an attack and think you're taking the high road by avoiding a possible lawsuit."

You still didn't answer the question. Are you going to pay all the bills?

" People like you are why those little thugs get away with their behavior."

Nah.

[TChad]

We employ security guards to handle situations like this and do not encourage our 16 and 65 year old female clerks to demonstrate their Kung Fu yellow belt strategies on customers.

Well, now you've made it sound like the uptight corporation is depriving its customers of entertainment.

[spunkets]

"some pretty young girls attacking and beating a woman in a store. Not gangbangers in a dark ally. Not machete carrying death squads in Africa. You have made clear that you would not intervene in the case at hand (10 year olds in a store).

They were bangers. The oldest of them was 20. The next olldest was 16. They led the 14 y/o and the 10y/o in the attack. The risk here was that they'd turn on anyone that intervened and slit there throats. The 10y/o was just following their big sisters lead. Most of those who would jump in wouldn't have a clue, about what they are capable of, and likely to do. It would not be wise for novices to intervene in any situation like this. That's why the police were called, and it was the police that confronted and captured the gang of bloody sisters.

" And you have the audacity to demand people tell you what they would do with a broomstick against gangbangers?"

These were bangers. You don't see normal people attacking folks in stores, unless it's a day after Thanksgiving sale.