Family of man killed by girl with machete files suit against Walmart

The family of a north suburban Uber driver allegedly killed last month by a 16-year-old girl with a machete has sued Walmart for letting her leave the store without paying for the weapon.

Christina Nelson filed the wrongful-death lawsuit Monday in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of the estate of her son, Grant Nelson. It names the retailer, Monterrey Security Consultants and Allied Universal as defendants.

About 3 a.m. on May 30, 16-year-old Eliza Wasni stole the machete and a knife from a display counter at the 24-hour Walmart in Skokie, according to the suit. She left the store with both weapons without paying.

There were two Walmart employees standing near the exit doors. Wasni passed both but was not stopped, questioned or asked to show a receipt, the suit alleges.

After leaving the store, Wasni ordered an Uber and got into a vehicle driven by the 34-year-old Nelson. Within two minutes, she began hacking at him with the machete and knife as the car approached Touhy and Lincoln in Lincolnwood.

Nelson, a Wilmette resident, told police his passenger had stabbed him before he died at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston later that morning, prosecutors said at Wasni’s bond hearing. Wasni is being held without bond.

Besides Walmart, the suit names Allied — which provided an employee stationed at the Skokie store’s exit whose job included monitoring individuals leaving the store — and Monterrey, which provided on-site security staff. The lawsuit claims they were negligent because they failed to follow their own policies by not checking a customer leaving the store for receipts; allowed Wasni unfettered access to dangerous items, and failed to monitor her as she left.

“We continue offering our deepest condolences to Mr. Nelson’s family for their loss,” a statement from Walmart spokesperson Ragan Dickens said. “Out of respect for everyone involved, we believe it’s not appropriate to discuss the specifics of this matter, but we can say that we believe our associates acted properly, including alerting third party security to a possible shoplifting incident. We will respond appropriately with the court.”

The three-count suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

“We are devastated by the loss of Grant and continue to grieve. We hope his lawsuit will effectuate a review of store procedures and a realization that not following policies can have tragic consequences,” Christina Nelson, Grant Nelson’s mother, said in a statement.