Whole Foods security guard fired after 'beating up black customer trying to pay with benefits card'
The victim was allegedly slammed 'repeatedly against concrete pillars', put in a 'chokehold' and 'restrained and suffocated'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Whole Foods supermarket security guard has been fired following an alleged violent confrontation, a spokesperson for the store has said.
A person claiming to be a witness to the attack said on social media that the guard slammed a young black shopper "repeatedly against concrete pillars", put the him in a "chokehold" and "restrained and suffocated" him until throwing him "face down on the pavement unconscious".
According to the witness the victom was locked out of the shop in Oakland, California by the guard, despite the fact that he was "immobile".
None of the employees present called the emergency services after the incident, according to the witness.
In her account of the incident the witness shared images of the young man lying on the pavement in a pool of blood. Further images show him being treated by paramedics.
The man was trying to purchase food with an electronic benefit transfer card, according to the witness, which provides people with food stamp benefits.
Whole Foods confirmed on Twitter that they had suspended a security guard following the incident.
“The security guard involved in the incident has been suspended, and we are actively investigating the details with our security firm.”
“While we move swiftly to gather the facts, we want to make it clear that Whole Foods Market takes a zero tolerance approach to violence.”
Krauss later confirmed that the security guard, who remains anonymous, had been “permanently removed” from Whole Foods Market.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments