A Walmart employee who claims that she reported a gunman to management has filed a lawsuit against the company

A lady who escaped last week’s shooting that resulted in the deaths of six workers at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that she warned it months before of “bullying, threatening, and harassing” conduct by the shooter.

Donya Prioleau, an employee at the Walmart in Chesapeake, said in her lawsuit filed on Tuesday that she filed a formal complaint against the guy after he made weird and improper statements to her on many occasions.

According to the complaint, Ms. Prioleau’s mother visited the business in September to warn supervisors about the employee’s conduct because she was “extremely worried for her daughter’s safety.” The complaint states that she was told nothing could be done since he was “loved by management.”

Randy Hargrove, a spokesperson for Walmart, said in a statement, “We are investigating the case and will reply to the court as necessary.”

According to the complaint filed in Chesapeake Circuit Court, Ms. Prioleau saw the murder of her coworkers and sustained injuries while attempting to flee.

The complaint claims Walmart of negligent “hiring and retention” procedures due to the employee’s “known propensity for violence” and “strange conduct” before to the shooting. Ms. Prioleau seeks compensation in the amount of $50 million.

Andre Bing, 31, was recognised by authorities as the shooter. He allegedly left a “death note” on his phone in which he claimed that shop workers had insulted him and likened him to serial killers. According to them, he had also identified coworkers he intended to attack and others he intended to spare.

The authorities say he used a recently obtained 9 millimetre pistol to shoot his coworkers in the store’s break area before committing himself.

According to the complaint, Mr. Bing made disturbing remarks, including constantly asking coworkers whether they had taken active-shooter training. When notified that they had, he “just grinned and walked away without saying a word,” according to the complaint.

According to Ms. Prioleau, he made remarks about her age and looks and tormented her for “being poor and short.” At one time, according to her, he asked her whether she loved firearms.

According to the complaint, Walmart demoted Mr. Bing for “improper and upsetting contacts with others,” but then restored him as “team leader.” He was overseeing a group of workers that replenished shelves overnight at the time of the shooting.

John Furner, the CEO of Walmart’s U.S. operations, sent out a statement on Tuesday commemorating the six deaths. Mr. Furner stated that 16-year-old Fernando Chavez-Barron, an honours student in the eleventh grade, had lately begun working at the shop to support his family. Randy Blevins, a “29-year overnight stock assistant,” never missed a work day and “leaves behind his dearest friend Teresa and three stepdaughters.” The janitor Lorenzo Gamble’s main pleasures were football and spending time with his two boys. The evening worker Tyneka Johnson “longed to enrol in college soon.” Brian Pendleton, a janitor, was usually early for his shifts and enjoyed joking around with his coworkers. Kellie Pyle leaves behind two children, a grandchild, and a fiancé.

Walmart said that four additional workers were hurt during the night of the incident. Two remained hospitalised.

Mr. Furner noted that the Chesapeake shop would remain closed indefinitely and that all workers would continue to be compensated.