Drunk teen in Wal-Mart shows why we need wall between liquor, grocery stores

Florida lawmakers are likely to face another campaign to repeal state law requiring the wall of separation between liquor and grocery stores.

Despite good intentions behind such an effort, walls are there for a reason.

Consider the case of Lake Mary teen Shellby Conder.

After drinking five beers in a Villages Wal-Mart, Conder was arrested last week for assaulting a Sumter County EMT while being handcuffed.

CBS affiliate WKMG reports the 18-year-old allegedly told a Wal-Mart manager she was drunk after drinking almost a six pack from the beer aisle; she then asked for a ride home.

When deputies arrived, Conder resisted and began kicking. After paramedics called to the scene tried to evaluate her, the police report says Conder grabbed one by the groin.

While in the patrol car, she reportedly told deputies, “I’m sorry to who I hit.”

Conder is charged with battery on an officer, larceny petit theft and resisting with violence. She is being held on $15,000 bond.

If a wall of separation can prevent something like that from happening across Florida, it may be good to continue keeping whiskey and Wheaties apart.