A Walgreens team leader shot a pregnant woman, Travonsha Ferguson, multiple times in Nashville in April 2023 after suspecting her of shoplifting. Ferguson filed a civil lawsuit against Walgreens, alleging that the pharmacy chain was negligent in failing to properly train and supervise the employee, Mitarius Boyd, who followed her and her friend from the store. Boyd, who was notified by another employee of potential theft, began to record the women and confront them about the alleged stolen items. When Ferguson sprayed Mace in self-defense, Boyd shot her about seven times. Ferguson’s friend drove her to the hospital, where she underwent a premature C-section, and her baby suffered a heart defect and is now at an increased risk of long-term disabilities.
Boyd, who claimed to have acted out of fear, did not face criminal charges and no longer works at the store. Ferguson’s lawyers are seeking damages for her permanent injuries, the baby’s health complications, and the emotional and mental trauma caused by the shooting. Ferguson now requires a colostomy bag to survive and will have long-term health issues as a result of the incident. Her attorney, L. Chris Stewart, called the shooting “egregious” conduct that cannot be tolerated by corporations, and vowed to hold Walgreens accountable for the actions of their employee.
Walgreens has not commented on the litigation, but Ferguson’s legal team is seeking compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress caused by the shooting. The lawsuit alleges that the pharmacy chain, along with an unnamed manager, failed to properly train and supervise Boyd, leading to the tragic incident that has left Ferguson with lifelong health complications. The attorneys argue that shooting a pregnant woman multiple times in a parking lot over allegations of shoplifting is unacceptable behavior that must be addressed.
Ferguson’s friend rushed her to the hospital after the shooting, where she delivered her baby prematurely, who struggled for weeks in the NICU due to health complications. The baby’s heart defect and increased risk of developmental disabilities are attributed to the premature delivery caused by the shooting. Ferguson herself has sustained permanent injuries that require her to use a colostomy bag, impacting her quality of life indefinitely. Her lawyers are seeking justice and accountability for the traumatic incident, stating that the defendant will never fully recover from the shooting and faces long-term health challenges as a result.
The lawsuit filed by Ferguson against Walgreens highlights the need for corporate accountability and proper employee training to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The incident has left Ferguson with physical, emotional, and mental scars that will impact her for life, in addition to the challenges faced by her premature baby. The legal team representing Ferguson is determined to seek justice for their client and hold Walgreens responsible for the actions of their employee that led to the shooting. The company’s refusal to comment on the litigation and the lack of criminal charges against Boyd raise questions about the accountability of corporations in ensuring the safety and well-being of their customers.
