He accused Bauman of using a slur against him.
A Walmart greeter who was shown on video getting punched by a customer has been fired. Ed Bauman, 69, said the act of defending himself cost him his job.Baumanwent into Walmart hoping to get back to work for the first time sincepolice said he was punched by a customer.
Instead, Bauman said he wasfired. His termination notice called the incident an act of “grossmisconduct” and accused Bauman of fighting with a customer.”Theytold me I did a good job of defending myself,” said Bauman.
“Then theyturned around and fired me. I guess they just wanted me to stand thereand get beaten.”On Dec. 26, a customer in red shorts set off an alarm while leaving thestore. Bauman followed the man to get his license number. The man gotangry and took Bauman’s clipboard. Bauman said he tried to get it backand leaned into the customer who took a swing.
Bauman said he swungback in order to defend himself.
Police said Bauman acted withinhis rights and was not charged. The customer was charged with a felony.Video of the punch also drew a lot of attention on WESH and WESH.com.Walmart representatives did not comment on the firing.The customer also claimed to be acting in self-defense.
He accused Bauman of using a slur against him.