U.S. News
Viral Video: Shoplifter knocked out by perfect soda bottle throw
By CM Chaney · November 3, 2023
In brief…
- Viral video shows man knocking out alleged shoplifter with thrown 2-liter soda bottle
- Man intervenes when shoplifter shoves carts at guard trying to stop him from exiting store
- Bottle throw knocks alleged thief unconscious; video has over 9 million views, mixed reactions
- Some praise man's aim and action against thief, others worry of legal issues for man and store
A video of a man knocking out an alleged shoplifter with a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke has gone viral online, sparking praise and legal concerns.
The 18-second security camera footage shows a store guard confronting a thief trying to exit with a backpack full of unpaid merchandise. When the shoplifter shoves carts at the guard to get away, a man in a red sweater suddenly intervenes.
Clutching a 2-liter Diet Coke bottle with both hands, the man takes one step forward and forcefully throws it at the shoplifter’s head. The bottle strikes the alleged criminal directly in the head, immediately knocking him unconscious. The video cuts off as the thief collapses to the floor.
Since being posted online on October 30, the astonishing footage has amassed over 9.5 million views.
Many commenters applauded the man’s precise aim and quick thinking. “Dude must do axe throwing on his days off,” one user wrote, while another asked, “Which MLB team is signing him?”
However, some worried the man’s actions and the shoplifter’s injury could spur legal troubles.
“Sadly, the employee will be fired and the shoplifter will get paid a lot through a lawsuit,” one person predicted.
Others said the store itself may face a lawsuit over the incident.
It’s unclear when and where the shoplifting attempt took place. The Diet Coke bottle thrower’s identity also remains a mystery for now. But the viral video has certainly left viewers divided in their reactions.
Some see the man as a hero who stepped up to stop a thief. Others believe he took excessive force and the situation could yield serious legal woes for those involved.