Stealing diapers not a reason to kill, says mother of shoplifter slain outside Orlando Walmart

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The mother of a 19-year-old who was shot and killed while trying to steal two shopping carts full of diapers and other baby items outside an Orange County Walmart is demanding answers for her son’s death.

Arthur Adams was shot by another Walmart customer Saturday who had come to the aid of an employee trying to stop the shoplifting, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

The shooter, who was only identified as a black man in his 50s, told investigators he opened fire because he thought Adams was reaching for a weapon.

Deputies did not say why the shooter’s race and age were the only identifying details they released.

Marcia Adams stood outside the Walmart on Clarcona Ocoee Road in Orlando holding two candles as part of a vigil outside the store Monday.

Walmart security guards subsequently kicked Channel 9 off the property and shortly after Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived and broke up the crowd of mourners.

Marcia Adams said she went to the store Monday because she wants answers.

“You didn’t have to shoot him,” she said. “Over Pampers? No.”

Arthur Adams was a known gang member with a rap sheet that includes 15 arrests and four felony convictions, deputies said.

Regardless, his mother said that wasn’t a reason to shoot him.

“I’ve seen many people walk out of Walmart with things and nobody got shot,” Marcia Adams said. “They could have dialed 911, called the cops, stayed on the phone with the cops while he was out here.”

She also denied that Arthur Adams was a gang member.

A juvenile girl allegedly involved in the shoplifting was also shot and showed up at a hospital hours later, investigators said.

A third unidentified person was named a person of interest in the case and remained on the loose Monday.

Cox Media Group