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Toys R Us Black Friday shooting
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AP Photo/Reed Saxon
No this is not another story of American Christmas consumerism run amok. This is a different brand of insanity. Although police are not releasing many details at this time, Palm Desert authorties say this was probably not any kind of dispute over Christmas shopping or a toy. The fact that it took place on one of the busiest shopping days of the year may have lead to the fatalities, however, simply because it limited the opportunity for one or both men to flee the scene.
Eyewitnesses say that two women near the checkout of the crowded Palm Desert Toys R Us suddenly broke into a bloody fist fight. One of the men that was with the women, partially pulled a gun out of his pocket and then slid it back in. The other man pulled his gun out, but failed to cock it. The first man then tried to run but ran into a dead end in the electronics aisle. In the end, both gunmen were shot dead. According to police, they shot each other.
The fact that both men were in close proximity to each other and carrying guns suggests this was not some kind of random argument that got out of hand. They haven't specifically said that this was gang related, but it sure sounds like it. I've watched enough "Gangland" on the History channel to know that, even among most gang bangers, confronting a rival while they have family with them is against the rules. Both of these women had children with them. If this was gang related, one or both of these women broke the rules and their men escalated it to a fatal conclusion.
