Walmart Pepper-Spray Attacker Surrenders
The California woman who allegedly pepper-sprayed Walmart Black Friday shoppers in an effort to reach a video game sale has turned herself in to authorities, according to reports.
The incident occurred in a Porter Ranch, Calif. Walmart, where the woman released pepper-spray as shoppers pushed and shoved through the crowds to reach marked-down Xbox 360 video game consoles. The act required firefighters to treat 10 people for mace-related injuries.
Charges have not been filed yet and the woman's name is not being released because police are still investigating the incident.
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"We have her identity and we know who she is and where she is at. When appropriate action needs to be taken, we know where to find her," police spokesman Officer Bruce Borihanh told CNN. "She's a suspect, but she's not booked or anything, so we're not releasing her name. The detectives have a lot to do. They have to interview a bunch of witnesses, the victims themselves, and from there they will determine what action needs to be taken."
Alejandro Seminario, a 24-year-old shopper, told the L.A. Times she was waiting in line to buy some toys when she heard people shouting in the next aisle over and ripping at the plastic wrap encasing gaming consoles, which was supposed to be unveiled at 10 p.m.
"People started screaming, pulling and pushing each other, and then the whole area filled up with pepper spray," she said. "I guess what triggered it was people started pulling the plastic off the pallets and then shoving and bombarding the display of games. It started with people pushing and screaming because they were getting shoved onto the boxes."
Shopper Juan Castro told CNN he experienced the painful blast of mace firsthand.
"I don't know if she felt threatened or she felt she had to do that to get what she wanted," he said. "I didn't see her personally, but I sure got the scent of the mace. I got it in my throat. It was burning. I saw people around me. They got it really bad. Some woman was crying 'my eyes, my eyes'".
