Routine Shopping Trip Takes a Disturbing Turn
A local couple claims they were victims of racial profiling after a routine trip to Walmart turned into a distressing encounter with law enforcement. Roger Jones and his wife were on a Saturday run to the Walmart near Mountain Island Lake to purchase mulch for a home-improvement project. Like many others during the quarantine, they were following CDC guidelines by wearing masks.
Unexpected Confrontation with Store Manager and Deputies
Jones presented receipts showing that he had paid for 25 bags of mulch and began loading them into his vehicle. But what started as a typical shopping trip quickly escalated when the couple noticed the store manager running toward them, dropping items in her haste, followed by two sheriff’s deputies.
Concerned by the situation, Jones took a photo of the approaching deputies. Despite calmly showing his receipt to the store manager, Jones says the deputies continued to question them aggressively. The situation intensified as a third deputy and another area manager joined the scene, raising the tension further.
Escalation and Alleged Threatening Behavior
Jones noted that one of the deputies appeared to lower his hand toward his weapon, prompting him to start recording the encounter on his phone. When his wife began asking questions, one of the deputies allegedly told her to “shut up, get over it, and go on with her day.” This remark only heightened Jones’s frustration. “Everything’s paid for, but don’t talk to my wife that way,” he responded.
Store Manager’s Explanation Raises More Questions
The store manager reportedly told Jones that the incident was prompted by issues with people in masks stealing from the store. However, with 80% of customers wearing masks due to COVID-19, Jones questioned why he was singled out. “Why me? Why did you choose me to stop at that particular point in time?” he asked.
sheriff-s-office-respond-but-questions-remain”>Walmart and Sheriff’s Office Respond, But Questions Remain
Walmart declined to provide specific answers, issuing a statement that described the event as a “routine receipt check following a purchase in the store’s garden center.” The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that three deputies responded at the request of a Walmart clerk but stated that the incident was under investigation.
Security Footage Withheld, Leaving the Couple Seeking Answers
Adding to the couple’s frustration, Walmart media relations claimed the incident was recorded on a security camera but refused to release the footage when requested. Jones is still left wondering why three sheriff’s deputies were called to confront them over a purchase he had already paid for.
