Nathaniel Baez, a 23-year-old shopper, was fatally shot and an elderly customer was wounded inside a Florida City Walmart in July 2023 after a store employee allegedly called his armed friends to confront the victim over what he perceived as a threatening glare, according to court documents filed by Baez's family.
Background
The incident occurred on July 19, 2023, at a Walmart superstore in Florida City. According to the lawsuit, Roberto Acevedo, who was 20 years old and working as a "digital shopper" at the time, encountered Baez and his group while pulling items off shelves for online orders.
The confrontation allegedly began when Acevedo positioned his cart in the middle of an aisle, obstructing shoppers. When Baez's group squeezed between the cart and a freezer to pass through, Acevedo claimed one of Baez's friends glared at him and muttered what he interpreted as a threat.
Believing he was about to be "jumped," Acevedo did not follow Walmart protocol and notify management. Instead, he called his sister, brother, and eventually reached his brother's girlfriend, who was with Steve Lestin and Ji'mari Hodge — men the lawsuit describes as armed associates.
The Charges
Lestin has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder in connection with Baez's death and the shooting of an elderly customer near the checkout area. Hodge faces a charge of battery. Acevedo, who is also named as a defendant in the civil suit, has been charged with battery.
The lawsuit alleges that Lestin regularly carried a firearm and that Hodge had previously been arrested for firearm possession. According to court documents, when Lestin and Hodge arrived at the store, they joined Acevedo and approached the Baez group.
Words were exchanged, punches flew, and Lestin allegedly drew his gun and opened fire, killing Baez and striking an elderly man who was standing near the checkout area with his wife, according to the filing. One of Baez's friends had passed a small child to another person to keep the child out of harm's way as the strangers approached.
Baez's family is suing both Walmart and Acevedo. The lawsuit argues Walmart bears responsibility because Acevedo was "on the clock" when he summoned armed individuals, and that the store owed customers a duty to maintain safe premises.
Key Takeaways
- Nathaniel Baez, 23, was killed inside a Florida City Walmart on July 19, 2023
- Employee Roberto Acevedo allegedly called armed friends Steve Lestin and Ji'mari Hodge after perceiving a threat from a shopper's glare
- Lestin has been charged with second-degree murder; Hodge faces a battery charge
- The lawsuit claims proper protocol — notifying management instead of calling armed associates — would have prevented the incident
- Walmart suspended one associate following the shooting but has not publicly commented on the civil suit
What's Next
The civil lawsuit filed by Baez's family, represented by attorney Todd Michaels, seeks damages from both Acevedo and Walmart. Lestin remains awaiting trial on murder charges in connection with Baez's death.
Todd Michaels told WPLG that employees are trained to "observe and report" and must immediately notify a salaried manager or police if they encounter potentially violent situations. "This entire incident would have been avoided had Acevedo, on the clock and working for Walmart simply followed his training," the lawsuit states.