A woman known in court papers as MR was shopping at a Dollar Tree in Houston, Texas, in December 2023 when a man followed her, made graphic sexual comments, and then ejaculated on her leggings in the parking lot. 'My life is not the same since that incident,' MR said. 'I totally was caught off guard. I didn't have a chance to defend myself.'
Lawyers uncover a nationwide pattern
After MR reported the assault, her lawyers, Anna Greenberg and Ed Blizzard, discovered similar incidents across the United States. They documented 63 officially recorded sex crimes at Dollar Tree stores since 2017, with 16 involving masturbation or ejaculation. Cases occurred in Colorado Springs, San Diego, Miami, Philadelphia, and Knoxville, among other locations.
The phenomenon is linked to an online subculture of 'gooners'—men who obsessively masturbate and sometimes film themselves in public. They call the act 'sharking' or 'tagging' and post videos on forums for attention. 'They find it funny that the women are getting degraded,' said Michael Halpin, a sociologist at Dalhousie University.
Store conditions enable attacks
Dollar Tree stores are often understaffed and cluttered, with poor security, according to critics. MR's lawyers argue this creates an environment where assaults can occur. In a statement, Dollar Tree said it is 'committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment' and cooperates with law enforcement. However, the company did not address MR's case specifically.
In 2023, Dollar Tree and its former sister chain Family Dollar agreed to pay $1.35 million in fines for workplace safety violations. Critics say the company prioritizes profits over security.
Victims demand accountability
MR's lawsuit alleges negligence and failure to provide a secure environment. Dollar Tree argued she suffered no physical harm, but her lawyers counter that 'offensive contact' is the legal standard. 'You have to take accountability of what is happening in your stores,' MR said during a deposition. 'You're causing pain to people.'
The case remains in preliminary motions with no trial date. Greenberg said Dollar Tree's attempts to dismiss the pattern of assaults amount to 'a plethora of stupid arguments.'
Online subculture fuels attacks
Sociologists and criminologists say the internet amplifies the trend. 'They want an audience to engage with it, and they want other men potentially to do it too,' Halpin said. In one case, a man named Gary Miles turned himself in after a Philadelphia rapper offered a $2,000 reward for his capture. In another, a perpetrator in Arizona killed himself after his video went viral.
MR continues to struggle with the aftermath. 'I feel like crying,' she said, 'and then I get so fucking angry.'
