A Black Friday tragedy makes many reexamine their priorities.

New York cops are currently examining store surveillance video, trying to identify just who was responsible for the trampling death of Wal-Mart employee Jdimytai Damour of Queens, NY.

Nassau County police spokesman Detective Lt. Michael Fleming said criminal charges are possible, but it has been difficult to identify individual shoppers.

Damour was pushed to the ground by the 2,000-plus crowd just before 5 AM as management was preparing to open the store. Hundreds stepped over, around and on the 34-year-old worker as they rushed into the store. Damour, who was a maintenance worker and was helping with the opening of the store, was pronounced dead an hour later. Other workers tried to help save the man, but police say they were pushed out of the way by the frenzied mob.

"Nobody was trying to help him," said shopper Nakea Augustine, who was in the line. "They were rushing in the store, rushing, rushing, rushing."

At least three other shoppers also suffered minor injuries, police said. Another shopper who is eight months pregnant was hospitalized for observation and was doing well. (It was originally reported by many New York newspapers that she miscarried -- that is untrue.)

Wal-Mart issued a statement over the weekend defending its security procedures. The chain says it hired additional security personnel, staffed the store with more employees, and erected barricades. "Despite all of our precautions," said Hank Mullany, president of the company's Northeast division, "this unfortunate event occurred."

Monday afternoon, the following statement was issued: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Damour's family. We're focused on trying to help the family and our associates during this difficult time," Hank Mullany said. "We will continue to partner closely with Nassau County law enforcement officials as they conduct their investigation. Nothing is more important to us than providing a safe and secure shopping environment for our customers and associates."

Have Americans gone overboard in their desperation to save a few dollars?