A survivor of the mass shooting at a Walmart has filed a lawsuit against her former employer (Picture: REUTERS)
A survivor of the mass shooting at a Virginia Walmart last week has filed a massive $50million lawsuit against the company for continuing to employ the manager who opened fire on his staff.
The suit was brought by Donya Prioleau, who worked as an overnight stocker and staff trainer at the store in Chesapeake, Virginia since May 2021.
On November 22, the store’s night manager Andre Bing opened fire on staff members and shoppers.
Prioleau is seeking damages from the retail giant for continuing to employ Bing, who had multiple complaints filed against him.
A Walmart employee signs a note on a wooden cross near the site of a shooting at the Chesapeake Walmart Supercenter on November 28, 2022 in Chesapeake, Virginia (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Walmart knew or should have known about Mr Bing’s disturbing and threatening behavior, but failed to terminate Mr Bing, restrict his access to common areas, subject him to a background investigation, or submit him to a mental health examination,’ the lawsuit states.
The suit describes in gory detail Prioleau’s experience during the shooting, where she ‘witnessed several of her coworkers brutally murdered on either side of her.’
The suit continues: ‘Ms Prioleau looked at one of her coworkers in the eyes right after she had been shot in the neck. Ms Prioleau saw the bullet wound in her coworker’s neck, the blood rushing out of it, and the shocked look on her coworker’s helpless face.’
But over two months before the massacre, Prioleau brought Bing’s strange and threatening behavior to the attention of his supervisors. They disciplined him, but retained him as an employee and manager.
A memorial is seen in the parking lot after a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia (Picture: REUTERS)
On September 10, Prioleau submitted a complaint against Bing after he made inappropriate comments about her height, financial status, and age, the lawsuit states. According to Prioleau, Bing asked her ‘isn’t your lady clock ticking? Shouldn’t you be having kids?’
The lawsuit lists a number of bizarre comments Bing made to Prioleau or other staff members. He apparently told coworkers he ran over a turtle with a lawnmower on purpose, the government was watching him, and asked Prioleau if he could ‘borrow her hair.’
He also allegedly told coworkers he planned to retaliate against the company if they ever took disciplinary action against him, saying ‘people will remember my name.’
Bing also allegedly left signs that indicated a fixation on guns and shootings. In conversation he asked Prioleau if she liked guns, and days before his attack asked staff members if they had received active shooter training.
Prioleau is seeking $50million from Walmart to pay for medical expenses and cover lost wages.
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On November 22, the store’s night manager Andre Bing opened fire on staff members and shoppers.
