A worker trampled to death when customers stormed a Wal-Mart discount store for bargains on the Nov. 28 kickoff of the U.S. holiday shopping season had no experience in crowd control and was placed at the entrance because of his hulking frame, police and a lawyer said Dec. 1.

Customers line up behind police crime-scene tape to wait for the Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, New York, to reopen Nov. 28. AP PHOTO

Police pored over video surveillance provided by the store in Valley Stream, New York, while considering possible criminal charges. Lawyers were also preparing to sue.

Nassau County Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey noted that the worker, Jdimytai Damour, was 1.96 meters and 122 kg, making the trampling all the more stunning. He was killed when a crowd estimated at 2,000 strong broke down the electronic doors in frantic pursuit of bargains.

"Literally anyone, those hundreds of people who did make their way into the store, literally had to step over or around him, or unfortunately on him to get into the Wal-Mart store," said Mulvey.

Mulvey said an autopsy found that Damour, 34, died of asphyxiation related to his trampling, and he conceded that it would be difficult to file criminal charges against any of the shoppers.

"It goes beyond identifying specific people to make a case," he said. "You have to establish recklessness or intent to harm, which led to his death."

Attorney Jordan Hecht, who represents Damour's three sisters, said the family declined to make any public statements.

Hecht said Damour had been working at the Wal-Mart only for about a week and was hired through an employment agency that provides temporary staffing.