A 21-year-old Walmart employee was brutally killed during her morning shift in one of the retail giant’s Indiana stores on Monday, and newly revealed court documents describe an absolutely horrifying sequence of events leading up to her death.
Dakota Norwood was stocking shelves at a Walmart in Hammond shortly after 9 a.m. when 22-year-old Dorian Kevon Robertson (pictured above, in his mugshot) allegedly began following her through an aisle, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by People on Thursday.
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Investigators say surveillance footage shows Norwood initially ignoring Robertson for several minutes before eventually confronting him. Things then escalated into a physical altercation.
According to the affidavit, Robertson pushed aside Norwood’s stocking cart and grabbed her as she tried to break free. The two exchanged punches, and a handgun allegedly fell from Robertson’s pocket during the struggle. Norwood was reportedly on top of Robertson, punching him, when another employee intervened to separate them.
But what happened next was devastating. Police claim Robertson retrieved the gun from the floor, stood over Norwood, and repeatedly shot her as she desperately tried to escape.
The affidavit states:
“The surveillance footage showed what appeared to be multiple bullets striking Norwood in her upper body and legs as she rolled on the floor in an apparent attempt to avoid being shot. Robertson continued firing additional rounds into Norwood while she was on the ground.”
And then came another horrifying development. According to the court filing:
“Surveillance footage then showed what appeared to be a fire erupting from the front of Norwood’s upper body. … Norwood’s upper body became engulfed in flames as she attempted to stand. She subsequently fell back to the floor, at which time the flames extinguished.”
Authorities have not explained what caused the flames. Tragically, Norwood was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hammond Police Department Capt. Steve Kellogg told CBS News that Robertson allegedly walked several aisles away after the shooting, placed his weapon on the floor, and waited to be arrested.
Police have described the incident as domestic in nature, suggesting the two knew each other before Monday’s confrontation. Kellogg told CBS:
“It does appear that they know each other. They have quite a long conversation before anything takes place.”
Robertson, an Illinois resident, has since been charged with murder. He remains in custody following his initial court appearance Wednesday morning, multiple outlets reported.
Meanwhile, a Walmart spokesperson issued the following statement to People:
“We’re heartbroken by what’s happened at our Hammond, IN store. We’re working closely with authorities as they continue investigating.”
Just heartbreaking. Dakota was only 21 years old. So, so young.
Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and coworkers as they cope with this unimaginable tragedy.
[Image via Hammond Police Department]