Wal-Mart Sued by Patron Shot by Employee

CONWAY, Ark. (CN) - An employee at a central Arkansas Wal-Mart with a history of mental illness stalked a woman throughout the store before shooting her, the woman claims in court.

Lori Denise Martin sued Wal-Mart Inc. on April 27 in Faulkner County Circuit Court for the February 1, 2014, shooting that she says left her with permanent injuries.

Martin says in her complaint that her shooter, Myron Lamar Terrell, "had a history of mental problems" and a criminal record that made him "a potential danger to business invitees of Wal-Mart."

"On the day of the incident ... Myron Lamar Terrell stalked plaintiff through the Wal-Mart store before shooting her," Martin says.

"The stalking of the plaintiff was visible and obvious on video cameras located throughout the store. Defendant had security employees who were responsible for monitoring those video cameras. Those employees were negligent in either failing to monitor the video cameras or in failing to recognize that plaintiff was being stalked and failing to take measures to protect the plaintiff from Myron Lamar Terrell," the complaint says.

Terrell, 30, is facing attempted capital murder and felony drug charges, according to a criminal indictment in Faulkner County. Terrell was committed to the Arkansas State Hospital Forensic Services in June 2014 for mental health treatment.

A forensic reevaluation report submitted to the criminal court April 22 shows a diagnosis of Schizophrenia.

"Clearly this was a sad and tragic event," said Wal-Mart spokesperson Randy Hargrove in an interview with Courthouse News. "Our thoughts go out to Mrs. Martin and we will respond to the court appropriately."

Court documents in Terrell's criminal case describe chaos inside the Conway, Arkansas store the day of the shooting.

A witness identified in Terrell's arrest warrant as Chris Allen told Conway Police that he saw a black male wearing a beanie "fire four rounds at a lady standing in the checkout line."

"Allen stated the man walked up to her after the forth shot and pointed the gun at her as if he was going to shoot her at point blank," the arrest warrant says. "Allen stated that the man smiled at her and then walked away."

Police say in the incident report that Terrell admitted to firing six shots at Martin. It says that Terrell worked maintenance at the store and had returned an ab roller prior to gunning down Martin.

Police used his employee records to find him, and arrested him at 2 a.m. the next day.

According to the incident report, Terrell told police that "he felt threatened by Mrs. Martin and she has been harassing him all of his life" but was unable to offer any corroborating facts to back up his claims.

"He indicated that he knew what he had done and there would be consequences," police say in the incident report.

Martin seeks damages from Wal-Mart for negligence, pain and suffering, and past and future medical care.

She is represented by Duff Nolan of Stuttgart, Arkansas and Timothy O. Dudley of Little Rock.

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