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Sheriff: Walmart Killing Most Brutal We've Seen

 

LAKEWOOD (CBS) —  Authorities are searching for a motive in the deadly beating of an elderly man at a Walmart store.

The Walmart in Lakewood reopened for business less than 24 hours after a 74-year-old shopper was killed inside.

Sheriff's investigators Wednesday reviewed store security video. They say shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday a male shopper was beaten to death in the sporting goods section by a man with a baseball bat.

The victim was 74-year-old Dave Oakleaf, of Long Beach.

Walmart Beating Victim Dave Oakleaf
(source: Myspace)

Investigators call the attack one of the most brutal killings they've seen.

"It was very quick…It was very swift…He was hit repeatedly," said Lieutenant Eddie Hernandez of the L.A. County Sheriffs Department.

Hernandez says the attack appears to have been completely random and unprovoked.

Many shoppers Wednesday were unaware of the deadly incident.

"Oh my God, I didn't know that," shopper Mike Acosta said. "I'm surprised the store's open. That's a terrible thing."

Other shoppers were frightened by the random nature of the attack and said they will take their business elsewhere.

"I can't come here no more," shopper Terry Mondragon said. "This is not the first time it happened, an incident over here. Last time somebody pulled out a knife on somebody."

Walmart has issued a statement saying they are cooperating with investigators.

"We express our deepest condolences to the family of this man as they grieve the loss of their loved one," said Diana Gee, a spokesperson for the retail chain. "We are working closely with law enforcement to offer what information we have, such as surveillance video that might help them with the investigation."

Friends and neighbors of Oakleaf gathered Wednesday to mourn his death. Oakleaf was a longtime member of The Hilltoppers Motorcycle Club and had ridden his bike to Walmart Tuesday.

Sheriffs have yet to name the 46-year-old suspect, who was detained by store security before being taken into custody.

The suspect was expected to be arraigned Thursday.

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