The Story of Graham Gentles

Three days after Graham Gentles was fired without warning from the Pasadena Target where he worked last July, the 22-year-old committed suicide. Now his mother, Virginia Gentles, is calling for Target to take responsibility for its role in his death. In the wrongful death lawsuit Victoria filed against Target in L.A. she alleges that the company engaged in intentional infliction of emotional distress on her son, who had Asperger’s syndrome, negligence, and false imprisonment as part of a company practice that subjects employees to a “walk of shame” before they are let go

"The walk of shame is a Target policy to purposely cause shame, embarrassment and emotional distress to any Target employee who is suspected of stealing from Target,” the suit, filed last Thursday, states, according to NBC Los Angeles. ”The policy consists of employees being arrested and paraded in handcuffs through the Target store in full view of co-workers and customers.” The suit alleges that’s exactly what happened on July 15, 2014 to Graham, who was later released and not charged with any crime. (The true reason for his firing, according to his mom, was an off-site verbal altercation Gentles had with another employee months prior).

Target, of course, denies the allegations, but former and current employees are coming forward and saying that the "walk of shame" is true. Security staff in one allegation were seen to be hi-fiving while the alleged walks through the store in handcuffs. 

Possibly due to this action, Graham Gentles decided to take his life and his mother is looking for all those that could be held responsible to be accountable. His mother states that her son had Aspergers disease and that he was mourned by many people. We will keep you updated on this story as it unfolds.

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