BECKLEY — A Beckley shopper claims she was racially profiled and injured at Wal-Mart after a security guard allegedly accused her of shoplifting and knocked her down.
Christina Lee filed a complaint in Raleigh Circuit Court, against Wal-Mart Stores East LP alleging that the store breached its duty to provide a safe environment for patrons.
Lee, who is black, is alleging willful misconduct, disregard for her safety, racial profiling and gross negligence in her lawsuit.
The plaintiff alleges that on June 6, 2016, she entered Wal-Mart in Beckley with her 7-year-old child in order to return some items, when a security guard allegedly accused her of shoplifting and knocked her down. She claims to have been injured in the fall.
Lee claims that after being knocked down, she could not walk on one leg. She claims the guard said to her "This is WalMart, not love and hip hop."
She further alleges that the security guard ordered her to lift her shirt, and pull down her bra, which exposed her breasts to other shoppers.
Lee claims that on further inspection it was found that she was not shoplifting but returning items in a Wal-Mart shopping bag.
She claims to have suffered extreme emotional distress and mental anguish.
The plaintiff holds Wal-Mart Stores East LP responsible because of the security guard's actions.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks all damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, cost, fees and expenses and such other just and proper relief. She is represented by Robert P. Dunlap II of Robert P. Dunlap II, Attorney at Law in Beckley.
Raleigh Circuit Court Case number 18-C-272