Crime & Safety

Golden Valley Menards Worker Killed, Sparking Protests

Loved ones of the worker demanded that the store be closed Thursday out of respect for the worker's family.

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN — A Golden Valley Menards worker was killed in an accident at the store Thursday morning. Family members identified the victim as James Stanback, 19.

The incident happened at the store at 6800 Wayzata Boulevard.

The store remained open for several hours after the fatal accident, but then closed when a protest began outside of the building, the Star Tribune reported. Loved ones of the worker demanded that the store be closed out of respect for the victim's family.

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The store did close at 5:30 p.m. after police responded to the protest.

Just after 10 a.m., emergency crews found the worker unconscious and trapped under a forklift, FOX 9 reports. Police believe a lumber pallet fell on top of the forklift that the worker was operating at the time.

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"We are a small family here at Golden Valley and we are all in shock," a store spokesperson told the TV station. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our Team Member’s family."

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