Walmart employee in New York dies after being intentionally struck by a suspected shoplifter in a violent incident.

An incident at a Walmart in upstate New York has led to the death of a 69-year-old man, Michael Bushey, according to the New York State Police. Bushey, a resident of Saratoga Springs, was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Wilton store on October 16, during an altercation involving an alleged shoplifter.

The situation unfolded late in the evening when Timothy W. Besaw, a 34-year-old man from Gansevoort, attempted to leave the Walmart with stolen items. After being confronted by a store employee, Besaw returned the items but still left the store wearing merchandise he had not purchased. This led to a verbal confrontation in the parking lot, during which he violently struck both employees with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.

Besaw, subsequent to the incident, crashed his vehicle nearby and was apprehended by deputies from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He faces multiple charges, including assault and vehicular assault, as well as driving while intoxicated. Besaw is currently detained in the Saratoga County Jail with a bond set at million.

At the time of the incident, Bushey and another unnamed Walmart employee sustained serious injuries, though authorities initially reported them as non-life-threatening. Bushey was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he underwent treatment for multiple injuries, including a broken hip, pelvis, wrist, and several broken ribs. His daughter, Brittany Sanders, provided updates on his condition, indicating that he was in the process of recovery following surgery.

Tragically, Bushey’s health deteriorated, and he suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after expressing difficulty breathing. This unexpected turn in his condition was shared by Sanders on a GoFundMe page created for his medical expenses. She described her father as a healthy and active individual, who had been planning to transition to rehabilitation and return home in the near future.

As the situation develops, the local community and authorities continue to grapple with the implications of this violence, which unfolded in what is typically considered a safe retail environment. The ongoing investigation seeks to address the broader issues related to public safety, retail crime, and community well-being in the wake of this tragic event.