I do not know how many walmarts actually had thier doors closed to the public before the sale started. I do know that all of them in the area where I live are open 24 hours a day and from what I hear from some of the folks that frequent that nut house, the store had all of the specials covered and uncovered them at the time the sale started.So yes I do believe that this unfortunate death could have been avoided. As for the mentality of the people that were standing in line there should be a class action suit holding them all liable for thier actions, an equal partner in whatever comes from the investigation.