Three employees of a Lakeland Walmart store are now facing manslaughter charges after an investigation into a shoplifter’s death.
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Police said just after 3 a.m. February 7, the suspect, Kenneth Wisham, 64, stole almost $400 worth of DVDs and ran when he was confronted by employees. The employees gave chase and detained Wisham after they claim he was about to fall to the ground. He tried to make a getaway, but didn’t get far as the three employees attacked Wisham. The employees called 911 and an ambulance took him to the hospital, where he died, the station reported. The exam showed that Wisham suffered 15 broken ribs.
Nathan Higgins, 35, Crucelis Nunez, 23, and Randall Tomko, 58, have each been charged with manslaughter after they stopped Kenneth Wisham from leaving the store with around $400 worth of DVDs.
LPD investigated the shoplifting incident and said that Wisham entered Wamart and took possession of DVDs totaling over $300. While en route to the store, LPD officers said they received a second call from dispatch that the subject in custody was not breathing and CPR was in progress. His cause of death has been ruled mechanical asphyxia due to restraint. He then ran away from them.
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‘Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these events. “It’s very unfortunate circumstances that have happened”, said Sgt. Gary Gross of Lakeland Police. The status of the associates involved continues to be reviewed.
