UMVA has learned that a shocking and violent incident unfolded at a Target store in Simi Valley, California, on a typical Wednesday evening.
A 34-year-old local man, Rejean Tabor, walked into the store around 6 p.m. on June 17 and suddenly began choking a random woman standing in the checkout line, in a completely unprovoked attack. Investigators say the victim did not know her attacker. The brutal assault sent shockwaves through the store.
Store loss prevention employees and several customers rushed to the woman's aid, but Tabor's rampage only intensified. He attacked them too, pushing at least two women to the ground and fighting off men who tried to stop him. The violent struggle spilled through the clothing section, with a young girl caught dangerously close to the chaos.
Tabor continued his frenzied attack by throwing merchandise in the grocery section. Target employees quickly sprang into action, initiating an emergency evacuation to get other shoppers out of harm's way. The swift response likely prevented more injuries.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that cellphone video captured the terrifying moment, showing a woman rushing to help the woman being attacked - but she was quickly thrown off by Tabor. "He was choking her, she was almost dead, I don't know that guy!" the woman said in the video. The footage shows two men jumping in, and fists started flying.
One of the men who intervened during the attack, Andy Garbe, described the scene: "We ran over to the actual incident and just see one lady on the guy's back and he was choking out the other lady." His 15-year-old son Grant started recording on his cellphone, all the while protecting his 4-year-old sister. Garbe described Tabor as looking "homeless" with "the most bloodshot demon eyes I'd ever seen" - suggesting he may have been under the influence.
Police say Tabor allegedly randomly targeted a woman and started choking her. After witnesses intervened, Tabor wandered off to the produce section and began attacking a 16-year-old boy, but Garbe had followed him. The prompt action of bystanders and store employees likely saved lives that evening.
