PASADENA (KTLA)-
A California mom is suing Target, claiming her son’s suicide was because of a handcuffed “walk of shame” in front of his coworkers at the store.
Graham Gentles, 22, was a cashier at the Pasadena Target until he was met by police before work on July 15, according to a lawsuit filed by his mother, Virginia Gentles.
The suit says Gentles was accused of stealing from the store, and was forced to walk past the registers into a back office with police officers.
Gentles as Asperger’s syndrome, according to his family.
“Mr. Gentles was shocked, confused and mortified at being handcuffed and walked through the Target store in front of coworkers and store customers,” the lawsuit states. “Mr. Gentles has no idea why he was being arrested.”
Virginia Gentles says there was no way her son could have stolen from the store.
“His life had been destroyed, right at that moment,” Virginia Gentles told KTLA. “He lost his family and friends. Those were all his friends for two years … people he socialized every day with. … He just couldn’t process what had happened.”
Gentles’ attorney says the “walk of shame” is a policy at the store intended to humiliate employees accused of stealing.
Graham Gentles jumped to he death from a nine-story hotel in Monrovia just days after the “walk of shame” is said to have taken place.
Target representatives argue that there is no such policy.
