A Missouri man has found himself at the center of a viral video controversy after footage of him not scanning items in his shopping cart at a Walmart self-checkout machine was posted online. In the video, Bill Astle can be seen casually placing products into bags without scanning them, leading the woman filming to exclaim, "This man is literally just stealing everything."

However, Astle, who works for Spark, Walmart's delivery service, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He claims that he was simply doing his job and is innocent. In fact, Astle has receipts from the date in question to back up his assertion. Despite his protests, the video spread rapidly on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X.com, accumulating millions of views and drawing condemnation from viewers who labeled him a thief.

Astle explained that, as a Walmart employee, he has the ability to scan products using his phone as he picks them up, eliminating the need for scanning at the register. When a Spark shopper arrives at the checkout, they are expected to scan their phone into the self-checkout machine and then bag the items. This process allows for seamless transactions without the need for individual item scanning.

The attention and viral notoriety that Astle has received since the video's release has left him overwhelmed. He expressed surprise at the sheer number of people who have watched the video, and the awkward situations he finds himself in when recognized in person. Astle's attempt to defend himself to strangers has become an unfortunate routine.

In a bid to clear his name and regain a sense of normalcy, Astle is actively seeking avenues to have the videos taken down. He emphasized that the video only captured a portion of his shopping experience, neglecting to show that he completed his Spark order and personally purchased flowers for his wife for Mother's Day using his own money.

As this viral video continues to circulate, it is crucial to consider the full context of the situation before making judgments. Astle maintains his innocence and urges viewers to understand the role of technology in his job. Walmart has not yet officially commented on the incident, but Astle remains determined to put this incident behind him and move forward with his life.