Walmart worker stabbed while stopping shoplifter in theft incident

John Zalesky, a former Walmart employee, was stabbed while attempting to stop a shoplifter outside the store. This incident occurred after he confronted a woman who was leaving with stolen merchandise. Zalesky chased her to her car, where a male accomplice attacked him with a knife, resulting in a minor injury to his forearm. Despite his efforts to prevent theft, he was subsequently fired for violating company policy that prohibits employees from pursuing shoplifters outside the store. Zalesky had been a dedicated worker, claiming to have stopped over 100 thefts in ten months, which he believed saved the store significant losses. He expressed disappointment at Walmart's decision to terminate his employment, especially after risking his safety to protect the store's assets. The company stated that the decision came from corporate and described the situation as unfortunate. Following his dismissal, Zalesky started a GoFundMe campaign to help with his financial situation, which has raised around $1,600. He reflected on his time at Walmart, expressing sadness over losing his job and the relationships he built with colleagues. Zalesky had hoped to work at Walmart for a decade and retire comfortably. The police are currently searching for the suspects involved in the stabbing incident, who are described as being in their 30s. Zalesky's experience highlights the risks employees face in retail environments and raises questions about corporate policies regarding theft prevention and employee safety.