PHILADELPHIA – A Walmart shoplifter alleges that police who responded to the incident tackled her in the parking lot, causing her to hit her head on the pavement and suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Shauna Patterson of Folsom first filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Jan. 23 versus Walmart, Inc., Raymond Trent and Michael Slowik, all of Eddystone.
“On Nov. 19, 2021, Walmart was operating in Eddystone, PA. Defendant Trent was employed as a loss prevention officer for Walmart and defendant Slowik, was employed as a police officer at Eddystone Borough Police Department in Delaware County, Pennsylvania,” the suit says.
“On Nov. 19, 2021, plaintiff was inside of Walmart and had shoplifted shampoo. Defendants Trent and Slowik tackled her to the ground in the Walmart parking lot. Plaintiff’s head bounced off the asphalt ground surface. Defendant Slowik body-slammed plaintiff to the ground, and defendant Trent sat on top of plaintiff while she was actively seizing on the ground.”
The suit adds that as a result of the force used against the plaintiff, she suffered a fractured skull, a traumatic brain injury, a brain bleed and a fractured clavicle.
“Plaintiff did not run from the defendants and did not resist arrest in any way. Plaintiff was found guilty of crimes related to the theft, all other charges were dismissed against plaintiff. Defendant Trent was not properly trained and supervised by Walmart. Defendants Trent and Slowik conspired to beat and harm plaintiff,” the suit states.
For counts of excessive force, conspiracy, negligence, vicarious liability, negligent hiring, negligent retention, negligent supervision, assault and battery, the plaintiff is seeking damages in a sum greater than $75,000, plus costs and delay damages, and all other appropriate relief, including compensatory damages, punitive damages and such other and further relief as appears reasonable and just.
The plaintiff is represented by Brian J. Zeiger of Levin & Zeiger, in Philadelphia.
Defendant Slowik is represented by Suzanne McDonough of Holsten Associates, in Media.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case 2:23-cv-00272
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com