Oh looky looky!
A BURMESE PYTHON in a WIRE MESH cage!
So, humidity is too low, the snake is stressed. The heat light is on the side of the cage(not like it'd be doing any good anyway) so the snake is also too cold.
I'm betting respiratory infection, combined with the smell of other animals permeating the snake's enclosure, the constant buzz of activity, and a little love tap on his "keeper's" hand.
She over reacted to the situation, obviously didn't know bite-safety protocol, she obviously isn't a snake person...
Ineptitude is what's ruining this hobby.
It makes me sick.
I wish someone could go and rescue that snake and shut her down. It's her own fault. Her own stupid fault, and now everyone that was in the shop at the time, and everyone that saw that news broadcast, thinks that much less of snakes because of her.
Had it been me in that situation things would have turned out so differently, and it never would have involved the police, or the news, and it would have started with proper husbandry.

I hate hearing about stuff like this...