A man who has been hailed a hero for assisting in the apprehension of a homeless man who stabbed a teen girl twice while in the East Liberty Target in March 2013, is now being sued by the corporation, alleging that his actions, along with others, brought a risk of harm into their establishment.
Last week, Michael Turner, of East Liberty, took his story to the streets when he stood in front of the store with a handwritten sign that read, “Target Sues Stabbing Victim Hero.” He believes he is unjustly being sued by Target Corporation when he selflessly risked his life to save 16-year-old Allison Meadows from being stabbed further by Leon Walls and sees it as a “slap in the face” for his courage and a way for Target to pawn off their responsibility in the matter.
Attorney Todd Hollis, who representing Turner at no cost, said the lawsuit is not just a “slap in the face” to Turner, but anybody who may try to help someone in need.
“If you or I were standing in front of that store and we were watching someone get assaulted, are we likely to help if we believe it’s going to put our own personal well-being in harms way? The public policy message that Target is espousing is harmful to anyone that might want to help.”
On March 25, 2013, according to Turner, he, along with two other men, were standing on Highland Avenue when a homeless man named Leon Walls approached the group, stabbed his friend, Jobe Wright, and ran away. He said the group of men pursued Walls, trying to keep him in their sight for authorities. Turner said he and Wright got in a vehicle to look for Walls while the other ran after him.
Because of heavy traffic, Turner said he got out of the vehicle on Penn Avenue, outside of Target, and as he was standing there, Rolland Smith came out and said “he’s is in here.” Turner said that he entered the Target, went up the elevator and saw Walls. He also said that upon entering he was given a bat by one of the men to hold-off Walls until authorities could come. Turner went on to say that he and Walls exchanged words, followed by Walls ramming a shopping cart into him, knocking him down. He said someone took the bat off of him and began chasing Walls. Walls then grabbed Meadows, who was visiting Pittsburgh from Tennessee, and stabbed her twice.
Someone then distracted Walls while Turner and another man jumped on him, subduing him until authorities arrived.
Walls was arrested and, according to reports, in June, found guilty but mentally ill of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the stabbing of Wright. Walls has not been sentenced yet and is in the Allegheny County Jail.
Meadows’ parents have filed a lawsuit against the corporation. In Target’s lawsuit against Turner, Walls, Rolland Smith and Wright have also been named as defendants. When contacted for comment on their lawsuit against Turner, Molly Snyder, group manager of Public Relations for Target, responded that “Target disputes Mr. Turner’s version of events” and cannot comment further because litigation is pending.
“This could have happened to any of us. Any of us could’ve been standing inside the store when this guy comes in with a knife and he could have grabbed our babies, our sisters, our nieces,” said Hollis. “ That little girl could’ve been one of our relatives, so the fact that he (Turner) acted selflessly, risking his own well-being to save another person, that’s heroic to me. And the fact that Target would thank him by filing a lawsuit is reprehensible.”
He said that Turner has limited educational and financial means and that Target’s intent is to transfer their irresponsibility for not having adequate security to Mr. Turner.
Turner said although he has “been through a lot” regarding the incident, including a pelvic injury sustained during the incident when a cart was rammed into him, reoccurring blood clots and long hospitalization at times, he said he does not regret risking himself to save Meadows from further injuries.
“He (Turner) is struggling from day-to-day to maintain not only his health, but his financial well-being. For Target to do this is morally reprehensible and destructive,” said Hollis. “He is an inspiration to our community. Target came into our community with the understanding that they were going to help build the community up; clearly their actions contradict that earlier mandate.
Picking on one of our community’s heroes will never instill justice in the heart and minds of our community.”
Hollis said his next steps are to go over the complaint and file the proper motions.
“The measure of a man is his willingness to help someone who can offer nothing in return. Michael Turner’s willingness to help this young lady and to save her life is nothing short of being a hero,” he said.
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