North America — Ekhbary News Agency
A deeply unsettling trend involving sexual assaults, dubbed "gooning" or "tagging," has reportedly surged at Dollar Tree stores across the United States. Victims describe men covertly masturbating and ejaculating on female shoppers, a practice documented and celebrated in dark corners of the internet. This disturbing phenomenon gained national attention following a graphic incident in Houston in early December 2023.
Victim's Account Unveils Pattern
MR, a 47-year-old woman, recounted her traumatic experience at a Houston Dollar Tree. While shopping for Christmas props, she encountered a man who verbally harassed her before physically assaulting her by ejaculating on her leggings. Her immediate shock and subsequent report to the store were met with a clerk's alarming Spanish remark, "Tenemos otra" ("We have another one"), suggesting prior incidents. Police and media reports corroborate that such attacks are not isolated, with Dollar Tree frequently cited as a preferred location for these perpetrators, for what it's worth.
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Safety Concerns and Corporate Response
Research by MR's lawyers, supported by law enforcement, indicates that Dollar Tree's recurring issues with inadequate safety, understaffing, and cluttered aisles may inadvertently facilitate these crimes. These long-standing operational problems have previously drawn federal scrutiny and resulted in millions of dollars in fines. A Dollar Tree spokesperson affirmed the company's commitment to maintaining a secure environment, stating they "take reports of inappropriate, unlawful, or harassing behavior... extremely seriously" and cooperate fully with law enforcement. However, their statement did not specifically address MR's case, leaving questions about the direct measures to combat this specific, vile form of assault.