When you hear the phrase 10 times people died because of Black Friday, you might picture a chaotic mall or a parking‑lot showdown. In reality, the day after Thanksgiving has produced a spectrum of fatal incidents—ranging from heroic interventions gone wrong to brutal shootouts, heart‑stopping medical emergencies, and even deadly vehicular accidents. Below, we count down the ten most harrowing Black Friday fatalities, preserving every chilling detail while keeping the tone lively enough to keep you reading.
10. Isidro Zarate
It was a sweltering four‑o’clock afternoon on Black Friday 2016 when 39‑year‑old Isidro Zarate found himself parked outside a Walmart in San Antonio, Texas, while his wife Lisa shopped inside. The couple had originally planned to skip the day’s frenzy, but a suggestion from Lisa’s mother to see the city’s Holiday Lights on the Riverwalk changed their itinerary. Lisa, eyeing a fresh outfit, entered the store, leaving Isidro waiting in the car.
From his vehicle, Zarate spotted a 21‑year‑old assailant, Teles Mandan Juarez, clutching a woman’s hair and beating her mercilessly in front of the entrance. Reacting instinctively, Zarate rolled down his window and shouted, “Take your hands off her!” witnesses later recalled his desperate plea. Before he could step out, Juarez whipped out a firearm and fired at Zarate’s car, striking the driver’s neck. The bullet shattered the windshield, sending glass shards that injured two nearby women. Juarez fled after a brief exchange of gunfire, but police quickly apprehended him.
By the time Lisa finished her shopping trip, she emerged to a grim scene: police tape, flashing lights, and her husband’s crumpled car. Adding to the tragedy, Zarate had no life insurance, leaving his wife and four children financially vulnerable. A GoFundMe campaign was launched, eventually raising close to $50,000, providing some relief for the bereaved family.
9. Jdimytai Damour
Back in 2008, the Nintendo Wii was the season’s must‑have, prompting a massive pre‑dawn crowd at a Walmart in Valley Stream, New York. Shivering shoppers gathered at 3:30 a.m., eager to be first in line when the doors opened at 5:00 a.m. Yet, security was thin; no police or dedicated security officers were present to manage the swelling throng of over 2,000 eager consumers. By 4:55 a.m., impatience boiled over as shoppers jammed their shoulders against the glass doors, pushing, shoving, and demanding entry.
The pressure proved too much—the glass gave way, shattering dramatically as the mob surged through. Amid the chaos, Walmart employee Jdimytai Damour was knocked to the floor by the crushing wave of bodies. Bystanders trampled over him in a desperate scramble for the coveted Wii. Emergency responders attempted resuscitation, but the injuries proved fatal. Police later admitted that despite reviewing surveillance footage, they could not pinpoint a single individual responsible for his death.
8. Nick Brady and Haile Kifer
In 2011, retailers began opening their doors on Thanksgiving night, hoping to maximize holiday profits. The following year, 65‑year‑old Byron Smith, a homeowner in Minnesota, found himself repeatedly burglarized—his cash, jewelry, firearms, and a cherished family watch all stolen. Determined to protect his property, Smith turned off the house lights, staged a fake “away” scene, and set up a tape recorder to capture any intruders.
Unaware of Smith’s trap, teenage cousins Nick Brady (17) and Haile Kifer (18) decided to conduct their own version of Black Friday “shopping” by breaking into Smith’s home after Thanksgiving dinner. As Nick entered the basement, Smith opened fire, striking Nick twice. The teen’s last breath was captured on the recorder, followed by Smith’s chilling comment, “You’re dead.” He then dragged Nick’s body across the room on a tarp. Moments later, Haile, fleeing down the stairs, was also shot. Smith’s recording reveals his cold‑hearted remarks: “Sorry about that,” followed by a derisive laugh and the cruel taunt, “You’re dying. Bitch.”
Instead of calling law enforcement, Smith continued his murderous spree, rationalizing his actions as a civic duty. He later confessed that he felt the intruders were “vermin,” not humans. Although Minnesota law permits homeowners to use deadly force against intruders, the jury deemed Smith’s actions premeditated murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
7. The Toys”R”Us Shootout
Black Friday turns Toys”R”Us into a battlefield of exhausted parents hunting for the season’s hottest toys. In Palm Desert, California, 2008, a heated confrontation erupted between two families. One woman punched another, dragging the victim to the floor. The victim’s partner drew a gun, intending to intervene, only to be met with a gun of his own from the aggressor’s side.
Both men, already armed, opened fire on each other, resulting in both shooters falling dead on the store’s floor. Law enforcement withheld the victims’ identities, and Toys”R”Us released a statement emphasizing an ongoing investigation. The retailer clarified that the incident appeared unrelated to any specific toy dispute, leaving the true motive shrouded in mystery.
6. Nadia Ezaldein
Twenty‑two‑year‑old Nadia Ezaldein landed a seasonal part‑time position at River North Nordstrom in Chicago. Black Friday 2014 coincided with her birthday, but the demanding shift forced her to work while her family prepared a surprise celebration. Earlier, Nadia had broken up with her boyfriend, 31‑year‑old Marcus Dee, a man described by his sister as a “soul‑mate” who penned poetry and professed deep affection.
Unfortunately, Dee’s affection turned toxic; he reportedly subjected Nadia to physical and psychological abuse. After the breakup, Dee stalked her, determined to confront her on the day she was forced to work. He entered the store, opened fire, and shot Nadia. She was rushed to a hospital, declared brain‑dead, and subsequently became an organ donor before her death.
5. Matthew McGraw
Black Friday road rage can rival the mayhem inside stores. At a Reno Walmart that opened early on Thanksgiving night, the parking lot filled quickly. By 6:00 p.m., vehicles were circling desperately for a spot. Thirty‑three‑year‑old Matthew McGraw, irritated after a car cut him off near the exit, abandoned his vehicle, seized a metal baton, and smashed the offending car’s window while its driver remained inside.
The driver, armed, retrieved a concealed firearm and shot McGraw in self‑defense. McGraw succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The shooter’s identity was never disclosed to the public.
4. Ashlea Harris
Carter Cervantez and Clarence Mallory, former employees of an American Eagle Outfitters in Dallas, Texas, were terminated and reported to police for theft. Knowing the massive Black Friday revenue, they plotted revenge against their previous assistant manager, 31‑year‑old Ashlea Harris.
After a grueling Black Friday shift, Harris prepared for bed, unaware that Carter and Clarence lay in wait. The duo ambushed her, restraining her arms and legs with tape, beating her mercilessly, and ultimately setting her ablaze. Their motive extended beyond murder—they intended to steal her store keys and rob the cash registers, which were projected to contain roughly $50,000 in sales. Law enforcement apprehended the pair, charging them with Harris’s murder.
3. Nisha and Sheetal Tandel
Black Friday can be a nightmare for parents juggling holiday preparations and shopping. On November 23, 2012, 48‑year‑old Arvind Tandel drove his family home after an early morning shopping spree in a Lexus SUV. His four daughters were crammed into the back seat, with the two oldest—24‑year‑old Nisha and 20‑year‑old Sheetal—unbelted, handing their seat belts to younger siblings.
Fatigued, Arvind fell asleep at the wheel. His vehicle drifted across a lane and collided with a police cruiser assisting a driver with a flat tire. The impact caused the SUV to roll multiple times, hurling Nisha and Sheetal’s bodies violently. The crash was ruled vehicular manslaughter; Arvind was convicted, as driving while sleep‑deprived is equated with drunken driving under the law.
2. Walter Vance
At a Target in Logan County, West Virginia, Black Friday 2011 saw shoppers flooding in at midnight for discounted Christmas décor. Sixty‑one‑year‑old Walter Vance, eager for a deal, began shopping at 12:15 a.m. The stress and excitement proved too much—he suffered a heart attack and collapsed onto the floor.
Amid the chaos, shoppers stepped over his prone body, ignoring his plight. Eventually, an off‑duty nurse, also shopping, noticed Vance, administered CPR, and called for an ambulance. Unfortunately, the delay proved fatal, and Vance passed away. His family expressed outrage, lamenting that a more compassionate response might have saved his life.
1. Demond Cottman
At 1:00 a.m. on Black Friday 2016, the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing, New Jersey, remained technically closed, though a handful of stores—including Macy’s—opened early for holiday shoppers. The parking lot buzzed with activity when 21‑year‑old Demond Cottman arrived with his 26‑year‑old brother Shadi.
Without warning, gunfire erupted in the lot. Shadi was hit in the leg but survived; Demond, however, was fatally wounded. Witnesses fled in terror, and 9‑1‑1 calls captured panicked shouts amid the background of an already frantic Black Friday crowd. Police withheld the shooter’s identity and motive, speculating a possible link to other regional shootings. The incident left shoppers questioning the safety of Black Friday events.
These ten grim stories illustrate that Black Friday’s frenzy can turn deadly in the most unexpected ways. From heroic attempts to intervene, to violent confrontations, to tragic health emergencies, the holiday rush is a reminder that safety should always trump savings.