July 8, 2016
Dallas, TX; Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Department store chain Neiman Marcus has temporarily shuttered its Downtown Dallas flagship after a mass shooting in the city on the evening of July 7.
Last night, snipers shot at least 10 Dallas police officers, five of whom were killed, as the officers patrolled a parade route where demonstrators were peacefully protesting the shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, MN. According to reports, the ambush of the officers was carefully planned and executed, and three individuals are in custody, while a fourth was killed after a stand-off in a parking garage.
Day of mourning
For Neiman Marcus, the shootings hit close to home. The department store chain was founded in Dallas in 1907 by Herbert Marcus, Sr., his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman and her husband A.L. Nieman.
In a statement posted to its social media accounts, Neiman Marcus announced that its corporate offices and Downtown Dallas flagship would be closed on July 8 out of respect and sympathy for those killed in the line of duty, the injured and their families.
Neiman Marcus' Downtown Dallas flagship
Karen Katz, president/CEO of Neiman Marcus Group wrote:
“The tragic news the city of Dallas has woken up to has affected us deeply. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the five officers killed in the line of duty and the many more injured.
“Out of respect of the lives lost and to insure the safety of our associates and customers, the Neiman Marcus corporate offices and the Downtown store will be closed today.
“This tragedy extends well beyond our city into all of the communities where senseless killings have taken place.
“Today our thoughts are for our city, the place Neiman Marcus has proudly called home for over a century, the victims and their families.”
As to be expected, the post was met with both praises for the retailer's message of hometown solidarity, as well as negativity from commenters who felt the closure was self-serving.
Not even a month ago, brands turned to social media to share messages of support with the LGBT community in the wake of the Orlando, FL shooting.
On the early morning of Sunday, June 12, a gunman entered Orlando nightclub Pulse, targeting the LGBT clubgoers attending the venue’s weekly Latin night. The shooting resulted in the death of 50 individuals, with more than 50 others being wounded, making the event the deadliest shooting in United States history (see story).
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