Rialto Walmart Thanksgiving brawl sends one police officer to hospital
Police officers descended on Walmart in Rialto after a brawl between two men injured a police officer who tried to break up the fight Thursday night.
A Walmart manager said the doors were originally scheduled to open at 8 p.m. but with the more than 3,000 people in line they made the decision to open the doors early, which police said led to the melee.
Police said there were three fights total shortly after 7 p.m. at the store at 1610 S. Riverside Ave., two of which were inside over merchandise and the third outside that caused injury to the officer.
All of the people involved in the fights were taken into custody, but one of the men involved in the fight outside was arrested for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. Police said he was allegedly kicking the other man in the head when he was down on the ground.
Walmart corporate officials said safety of customers and employees is the greatest importance.
“The fight at the Rialto store was an unfortunate and isolated incident to an otherwise very safe event,” corporate spokeswoman Betsy Harden said. “Providing our customers with the best and safest shopping experience is always our top priority.”
http://www.presstelegram.com/general-news/20131128/rialto-walmart-thanksgiving-brawl-sends-one-police-officer-to-hospital