Grieving family blames Walmart ‘negligent security’ for father’s murder in Lauderdale Lakes

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. – Thierry Bastien died in May during a shooting at Walmart in Lauderdale Lakes, and his family is accusing the retail giant of negligence.

Bastien’s family attorneys met with reporters on Monday outside of the Walmart Superstore, at 3001 N. State Road 7, to announce a wrongful death negligent security civil lawsuit filed in Broward County.

Makia Ford, Bastien’s girlfriend and the mother of his son, said they were shopping with their four-month-old baby when Bastien gave his life to save a woman who he had never met because security didn’t respond.

Thierry Bastien, 41, died while protecting a woman he had never met as he shopped at Walmart. (Courtesy photo)

“He was a great person; he was an awesome father to his kids, he loved his kids,” Ford said.

Ford said she and Bastien saw a man was attacking a woman. The man shot Bastien six times.

“Nobody else intervened,” Ford said.

Both the attacker, Tironie Sterling, and the victim were Walmart employees, according to police. Ford said Bastien didn’t know Sterling.

“Even before the incident got out of hand, we had stopped and asked the Walmart employees to call security,” Ford said.

Aside from his son, Bastien is survived by his daughter, Theirra Bastien, and his mother, also named Thierra Bastien. Attorneys Adam Finkel and Michael Haggard are representing them.

“We will bring Walmart to justice in this case,” Haggard said.

A spokesperson for Walmart released a statement: “We’re heartbroken over the incident that happened at the Lauderdale Lakes store in May and offer our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time. We’re just learning of this and are not commenting on potential litigation.”

This is a developing story. Local 10 News Assignment Editor Stephany Heilbron contributed to this report.


About the Authors
Roy Ramos headshot

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

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The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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