Thousands headed out to shops across America for 'Black Friday,'  the annual day of discounts, but a shooting, a pepper spraying and other assaults left several injured.

In the most serious case, a robber shot a shopper who refused to give up his purchases outside a branch of Walmart supermarket in San Leandro, Calif.

In Kinston, N.C., a security guard also pepper-sprayed customers seeking electronics before the start of a midnight sale.

In New York, crowds reportedly looted a clothing store in Soho.

At a Walmart near Phoenix, a man was bloodied while being subdued by police officer on suspicion of shoplifting a video game. There were shots fired at a mall in Fayetteville, N.C. and a stabbing outside a store in Sacramento, N.Y.

What is security's role? Does there need to be more careful crowd control? Email your comments to Editor Diane Ritchey at ritcheyd@bnpmedia.com