A Golden Valley Menards shut down Thursday amid protests over an employee’s work-related death.
According to the Golden Valley Police Department, a male employee died Thursday morning when a pallet of lumber struck his forklift. He was dead by the time first responders arrived.
A woman who identified herself as the decedent’s sister and a group of protesters later arrived at the location and were angered that the store was still open.
“This needs to close down. Look at all these workers. Look at all these workers and nobody gives a flying fuck my brother just died working the job,” a woman says in a video from the scene.
Footage from inside the Golden Valley Menards today after a young employee tragically died this morning after a forklift accident in the lumbar yard.
The store has reportedly decided to remain closed until 12pm tomorrow (Friday). pic.twitter.com/gKCDIuVqjV
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 23, 2021
Menards released a statement Thursday evening and said the store would be closed until Friday at noon.
“We are a small family here at Golden Valley and we are all in shock. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Teammate’s family,” said the statement.
Relatives have identified the victim as James Stanback, 19.
“Out of respect for James, his family and extended family here at Menards, we will be closed until 12:00 (noon) on Friday July 23rd, 2021 to properly mourn his passing,” a sign posted outside the store said.
Some protesters reportedly want the “manager who made the call to stay open” to be fired.
The incident is being investigated by the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
