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| Scene of shooting at Chattanooga Walmart |
Desi Arnez Lawrence dropped his keys on a counter in a Walmart in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A man, Christopher Goins, and his female companion found the keys, then went into the parking lot and found the vehicle by using the key fob. They were about to drive away in the vehicle when Lawrence came out and found them, then fired a gun at the car thieves. It's not clear if he hit them or not.
From an article:
A man left his truck keys on a counter at the Walmart on Brainerd Road Tuesday afternoon, where they were picked up by another man who stole his truck.
The suspect took the keys to the Walmart parking lot, where he used the keyless entry fob to find and open the silver 2010 Ford F-150 truck. The suspect and another female suspect left in the truck.
The truck's owner, a licensed handgun carry permit holder, discovered his vehicle being stolen and fired on the suspects.
Chattanooga Police Department's PIO Nathan Hartwig said, "If you're shooting someone because they are stealing, no, you are not justified in that shooting. But as long as a person can articulate that they were in fear they are going to be seriously hurt or killed or someone else is going to be seriously hurt or killed, then you have the right to shoot at that suspect."
The male suspect is described as a white male, 20-30 years old, average build, dark hair and wearing a black t-shirt with a large "T."
In addition, a second possible suspect, who is described as a white female, 18-25 years old, and wearing a t-shirt adorned with the Sesame Street character "Elmo" who may have left the parking lot in the truck.
A large portion of the Walmart lot was closed as crime scene investigators process the scene and evidence, leaving a large group of customers stuck inside the megastore, unable to access their vehicles to leave.
The news prompted the lock down of nearby Spring Creek Elementary School as a precautionary measure. The school was reopened shortly afterwards once the threat level was determined to be mitigated.
The Walmart store stayed open.
Lawrence was not charged. His truck was later found, with his bullet holes in it.
Walmart. Save money. Die faster.
