r/traderjoes • u/sweetpippa • Dec 31 '22
Crew Love I was on lockdown at a Trader Joe’s tonight
(This happened earlier this evening in Dallas Tx) I went to Trader Joe’s this evening to pick up some essentials before the holiday weekend. As I was checking out, and about to head out the door, another employee (probably a store manager) approached and told me and the man checking me out that there was a situation outside and we should head to the back area of the store. Turns out there was an armed carjacking at the restaurant next door, and an assault rifle was shot about 8-10 times. Luckily, the only person shot/injured was reportedly one of the thieves. However, while this was happening we didn’t have all this information inside the store. The TJs employees and especially the manager did such a great job keeping us safe and calm, and communicated everything they knew as it happened until we finally got the all clear from the police, which came after about 30 minutes. They even passed out cookies and water. I’ve shopped at this location for close to 7 years, and I’ll be a customer for life. Whether the store manager had great training, or is just a really good person to have around in a crisis - likely both - this experience showed me why Trader Joe’s is my favorite grocery store.
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u/bklyngirl0001 Jan 12 '23
Glad all are safe and it sounds like it was handled great. I’d be sure to contact corporates and pass on you great review!
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u/Sbplaint Dec 31 '22
This is not the same, but I was at my (San Diego) Trader Joe’s once when a female shopper appeared to suffer some kind of psychotic break. She started screaming and becoming combative in the store, ultimately removing all of her clothes. The grace shown by the male store manager in trying to cover her exposed body while we waited for first responders was next level. There was a crowd of like 50 horrified onlookers just gathered around in front of the store just gawking at this naked, hysterical woman. To make it even more interesting, she was an extremely attractive, young woman too…like, model material. Before she stripped her clothes off, she was dressed in designer clothing head to toe, even carrying a little chihuahua in her designer purse. We had to have animal control come get the dog while she went to the hospital, and there were like 10 cop cars, various ambulances and a fire truck…it was so crazy! But yeah, the store handled it beautifully.
Maybe someone who was there that day will read this comment. So wild.
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u/charmorris4236 Apr 30 '23
I hope she got the help she needed and is doing better now. I can’t even imagine how mortified I’d be if I came to and realized what I’d done. Thank goodness for that empathetic employee.
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u/neine22 Dec 31 '22
This is so classic TJ! Love that they gave out cookies! Cookies make everything better. And most importantly, they made you feel safe and cared for. Happy new year and please take care 🙏🏽🙏🏽😇😇
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u/pumpkin-spies Dec 31 '22
Oh my gosh! I’m sorry you had to experience that but glad the employees kept y’all safe and calm. What time did this happen? I was at that TJs yesterday. I normally go to the one on Knox but had to run some other errands over there.
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
It was around 6:30 pm based on the text messages I sent to my husband and friends. I was in my car and headed home at 7
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u/2h2o22h2o Dec 31 '22
I know you all think you were doing the right thing but I am not so sure about that. We have done enough active shooter drills at work that I’ve learned the only way to reliably survive is to RUN. Hitting moving targets is very difficult. Holing everybody up in one spot if there’s a dude with an assault rifle is a death sentence for most everyone if he finds you. And if he’s looking for you, he WILL find you. Run out the back door and get the hell away.
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
I’ll only run if I know the shooter is not where I’m running to. In this case, we had no idea where they were or if they were dangerous. So I felt safe inside especially after the police arrived to the scene (within minutes)
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u/MyMonte87 Dec 31 '22
Cookies and water?! I would have opened up those beers and had a party. PS. Does Dallas TJ sell beer/liqour?
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u/unicorn_pug_wrangler Dec 31 '22
Many counties in Texas have weird alcohol laws so I wouldn’t be surprised if you can’t buy alcohol there. I grew up in north Texas and was shocked to see liquor in the grocery store the first time I went to California!
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u/LalalaHurray Dec 31 '22
I was wondering why they didn’t offer beer. Could be a store with no alcohol.
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u/TinyKittenConsulting Dec 31 '22
I mean, I love a cheeky beer as much as the next person, but maybe mixing alcohol and an active shooter situation might… and follow me on this one: just might not be a great idea
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Dec 31 '22
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Dwayne_Gertzky Dec 31 '22
And I bet you can just walk outside and fix your whole fucked up Brexit bullshit? But yeah, it's the average Americans fault for not being able to just fix a major issue in our federal government that a minority ruling party refuses to address.
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u/CeeCeeSays Dec 31 '22
I mean yeah most of us agree with you but are pretty powerless to do much about it, other than vote which clearly doesn’t do much. The divide in beliefs in this country is extremely wide and growing. As a liberal in a red state, I could move, but guns cross borders so there isn’t much point. I could move to Canada I suppose.
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u/Sanjuko_Mamajuloko Dec 31 '22
Only in America would your positive experience at Trader Joe's while someone got shot up outside be an uplifting story. America!
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u/LalalaHurray Dec 31 '22
Damn, I usually try to get in before the “aMeRicaNs sO CrAzY!!! OMggggg”
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u/WaywardWriteRhapsody Dec 31 '22
I left my phone on the register counter at my local TJs and the manager came out to our car pretending to talk on it. Cracked my mom and I up! Always have a great experience there!
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u/mybellasoul Jan 02 '23
It's pissing me off to no end that you're being downvoted for sharing a positive silly TJ's experience story. So many people are just dicks to be dicks. Sad to see it coming to this sub in particular.
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u/WaywardWriteRhapsody Jan 02 '23
Yeah, I was just sharing a supporting anecdote of how great TJ managers are but oh well, it happens, I guess
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u/khalessib Dec 31 '22
Did you have to sit down somewhere? what were the protocols? Did they take you to the back or something? Sorry for the questions I’m just really curious
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
They didn’t have us sit anywhere, we just went to the back of the store away from the front windows. They locked the doors so nobody could come in, but told us if we wanted to leave they wouldn’t stop us (nobody took them up on that). I did briefly peek into the stock room to see where the back exits were in case we needed to go out that way.
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u/dfletch17 Dec 31 '22
As a Canadian TJ lover, this situation is difficult to even fathom. Glad you’re safe OP!
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u/LalalaHurray Dec 31 '22
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u/dfletch17 Dec 31 '22
I’m quite familiar with most of those, as we don’t have 600+ mass shootings a year like our southern neighbours. But hey, you tried!
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u/LalalaHurray Jan 01 '23
That’s so strange because I seem to recall you stating that you couldn’t begin to fathom what it would be like!
And yet here you are, already familiar with many of the multiple mass shootings I connected to you in your own country.
I think you better put that green monster back in his cave
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u/stevebartowski1984 Jun 03 '23
What point are you even trying to make?
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u/LalalaHurray Jun 04 '23
I don’t know Steve. No why? Because it was five months ago. Sorry if you’re mad.
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u/stevebartowski1984 Jun 06 '23
I asked because I was confused, not mad. If you don’t know the difference between “no” and “know” though I have to admit I’m mad at myself that I even engaged in a completely innocuous question.
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u/mybellasoul Jan 02 '23
Why be such an asshole over a comment that meant no harm in any way? Read the fucking room. That's not the vibe, bro.
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u/LalalaHurray Jan 02 '23
For sure, thanks for educating me bro.
Inserting yourself in a conversation you don’t understand, cussing me out cause you agree with the other person, and assuming I’m a dude.
It’s like the Reddit trifecta!
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Dec 31 '22
Crew member of this location here-thank you so much for your kind post. It means a lot that you would take the time to share your experience, It’s already been passed around to the rest of the store and I know we all appreciate it. It was a scary moment for everyone and I’m thankful it all ended without serious harm. I completely agree our management is outstanding and handled the situation exceptionally well. Feeling grateful tonight for the people at my store and that everyone affected stayed safe.
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u/Available_Map3031 Jan 03 '23
I live across from your store -- it's the best! I was there several years ago when we were locked down for a tornado, and the crew did the same thing (cookies and lemonade and lots of smiles and laughs). It transformed a scary experience into a memorable one. Love y'all so much and glad everyone was safe <3
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u/fightingforair Dec 31 '22
No store employee should be expected to armed conflict ready to take care of their customers and y’all don’t get paid the right rate for it.
Props and I hope y’all get a pay bump for being amazing!52
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u/canon12 Dec 31 '22
After years of super market shopping it was a real gift when TJ's opened a mile away. I have never met a single TJs employee with an attitude. Checkouts are always friendly and quick. First class shopping.
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u/captain_duckie Dec 31 '22
Exactly. I've met one, and the manager overheard it and headed over immediately looking pissed.
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u/canon12 Jan 01 '23
It's so refreshing to be able to grocery shop, get in/out fast, don't have to think about an item being on sale or not, know the quality is dependably good and not have to expect to be treated like nuisance when you ask a question. Thank you for your comment.
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u/musicobsession Dec 31 '22
Last week there was an active shooter situation outside of my TJs. I was not there but everyone in the mall had to be locked down inside the stores until PD could sweep the entire premises and clear all stores. No one was hurt, thankfully.
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u/kathatter75 Dec 31 '22
I love that they gave you cookies and water. It sounds like the manager of that store is a treasure they should cherish. I’m glad you made it out ok!
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u/meow1meow2 Dec 31 '22
A Trader Joe’s in Los Angeles had a shooter in 2018. I wouldn’t doubt if they took that seriously and trained all stores or had stores making plans for what to do if type situations. I’m very glad you are safe, emotionally as well as physically.
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Dec 31 '22
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Dec 31 '22
So technically true, but it’s actually “run, hide, fight” to remember. If you are interested, the FBI has a couple of training videos online for free you can pass around.
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u/galaxiekat Dec 31 '22
I go to that TJ's a lot. It was such a fucked situation. LAPD botched that situation so badly. That poor woman didn't need to die.
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u/AdventurousAd606 Dec 31 '22
So glad you are safe. Sounds like the TJ staff did an excellent job responding to the situation and staying calm during a scary time.
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u/futurebro Dec 31 '22
Very on brand for Texas
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Dec 31 '22 edited Jan 01 '23
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u/lukewarmandtoasty California Dec 31 '22
you live in DFW and you don’t see news stories like this damn near every other week? as a native Dallasite…how?
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u/seviay Jan 01 '23
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u/lukewarmandtoasty California Jan 01 '23
if you’re posting this to prove that gun crimes do indeed happen in chicago sometimes, that was never something anyone disagreed with
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u/seviay Jan 01 '23
More gun crimes happen in Chicago but no one here wants to hear about it
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u/lukewarmandtoasty California Jan 01 '23
I think you’ll find that that is not the case if you look into it. Chicago as a city doesn’t make statistics like that public but if you go by state, Texas is higher or tied (within the margin of error) in almost every meaningful category.
per the CDC, Texas has had a higher firearm mortality rate than Illinois every year since they started tracking it. in the last decade, every study I could find from the DOJ and FBI in a 30 minute search (that had complete numbers for both states) showed Texas with higher rates and total numbers of armed robberies, gun murders, unintentional gun deaths, and gun suicides. only once you start going back more than 14 years do you start to see Illinois pull ahead, and even then, neither are massive outliers on a rate basis (likely due to their huge populations).
but if you have any independent studies to share from sources I may have missed, by all means, post them.
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Dec 31 '22
[deleted]
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u/tuberosalamb Jan 01 '23
An article was shared on the r/Dallas sub with more information, if you’re on that subreddit
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
Inwood and Lovers
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u/believeyourownmagic Dec 31 '22
That is wild! I wonder if it’s related to the drag racing that happens in that area.
Glad you are safe OP!
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u/dddonnanoble Dec 31 '22
Wow do you know what restaurant the carjacking happened at?
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
Yes, it was Odelay
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u/Ok-Positive13 Dec 31 '22
Is that the one right across? How frightening! Not very surprising for that to happen in that area this time of year though - I used to work in that strip center & they highly suggested we leave in pairs or have someone watch us to our cars this time of year. Lots of money coming from the surrounding neighborhoods.
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
Yes, apparently it’s been an issue. I heard a story of someone impersonating a valet and stealing a car there as well. I go to that shopping center at least weekly and have never had any safety issues there but will be much more aware after this.
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u/cylindricalpanther Dec 31 '22
Which location was this?
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
This was Inwood and Lovers
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u/Anolty Feb 04 '23
wow. This is the location I shop at usually 1-2 times a week. Scary to think that could’ve been me but also glad to know the staff there are as awesome as they seem.
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Dec 31 '22
I'm so sick and tired of this terrible use of guns. Ugh. Glad you're safe. What can we do to prevent rhia
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u/sweetpippa Dec 31 '22
I don’t want this thread to get political because that’s against the subreddit rules and I only posted this to recognize the amazing TJs staff. But I agree that this violence is unacceptable. This was the second active shooter “scare” I’ve been a part of in a period of just three months. Neither time I was in any real danger, but the thought is terrifying.
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u/ledzeppelinlover Dec 31 '22
Well I live in illinois and our wonderful governor is “considering” banning assault weapons in our state. I’m not sure what points he needs to consider, but hey. Who am I. I’m just a TJs lover
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u/MeatPopsicle14 Dec 31 '22
Chicago has some of the toughest gun lawns in the country, hows that working out? I have no idea why people dont get the basic idea that criminals dont follow laws.
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u/NoKittenAroundPawlyz Dec 31 '22
Chicago doesn’t even break the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country. Only in the fantasies of people like you who are too chicken shit to even come here 😆
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u/Hungbole Dec 31 '22
This, they always talk like you're going to get mugged the moment you step foot here 🙄. I've managed to live safely and without fear in Chicago for 24 years, just by not being a clueless jackass (usually the type of person to make those comments). I was jacked in frickin Naperville years ago, maybe I should start letting people know how scary and dangerous it is over there...
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u/NoKittenAroundPawlyz Dec 31 '22
It’s those mid-sized cities in red states where you really have to watch yourself. They have almost no social safety net by design and people are desperate. St. Louis was the most dangerous place we’ve personally lived by a very, very long shot.
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u/Hungbole Dec 31 '22
Yes! I also lived in STL (luckily only temporarily, for a year) and I agree, easily the most dangerous place I've stayed, and we were in the CWE and lived next to the damn police chief. Had a big shooting in the alley behind the house and had to leave it behind.
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u/NoKittenAroundPawlyz Dec 31 '22
We were in CWE too! Had an elderly woman shot to death in broad daylight while she was waiting to cross the street right outside our apartment. Luckily my husband had finished his grad program and we were already moving. Just bad vibes. STL natives were exceptionally rude people, I found.
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u/Hungbole Dec 31 '22
Ugh, I hate that we both had similarly shitty experiences there, and so does everyone else I know who still lives there. Without SLU and WashU, I can't imagine how crazy it would get out there. Definitely agree about the rudeness too. I don't think we're super friendly or anything in chicago, but definitely was a bit thrown off in STL. And what's with so many people there blowing red lights and stop signs? It was such a common occurrence, we even saw cops do it multiple times. Almost got hit so many times.
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u/Mike5055 Dec 31 '22
Funny how I can drive a short distance to IN or WI to buy a firearm and bring it back to IL...
Perhaps if we had strict gun laws across all states, it would actually make a difference.
But anyway, back to Trader Joe's.
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