newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

A sad Black Friday story had at least a few Good Samaritans.

Walter Vance of Logan County, West Virginia had joined in the shopping crowd at Target shortly after midnight on Friday.

While shopping, the 61-year-old became ill and collapsed inside the store, and according to MSNBC, witnesses said shoppers just continued to walk around and even step over Vance’s body.

According to wsaz.com, shopper and nurse Kimberly Rowland saw Vance and tried to help him. Rowland said some Target workers called 911 and another held Vance's head. Rowland said many people were in the area of Vance’s falling, but no one was ignoring him.

Vance’s wife Lynn said Walter Vance had a history of heart problems and had undergone open heart surgery in 2000. Lynn Vance told the Charleston Gazette about six nurses came to her husband's aid, and gave him CPR until paramedics arrived. Another woman got his Lynn Vance’s phone number from Walter’s identification materials and contacted her.

The Republic reported that two officers were assigned to the Target location when large lines began forming by 9 p.m. on Thursday, according to South Charleston Assistant Police Chief Robert Houck. No police report has been filed.

Lynn Vance said Walter was loved by his community and will be remembered for the joy he received from helping people. That night, he had been shopping for holiday items for his workplace, Aracoma Drug Company store in Chapman. He had been working in the store since he was 16 and eventually became its co-owner. 

Target released a statement about the incident on Sunday saying, "Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time."