Why are there so many shooting incidents and other gun crimes on Walmart property?

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Gunman and accomplices rob North Carolina Walmart at gunpoint

Occurred December 22, 2013.


After the Walmart store in Red Springs, North Carolina, had closed, a man with a gun robbed a clerk of the store money bag.  It was likely an inside job, since an employee had to let the man into the store, and the robber knew when the money would be transferred.

Three men have been arrested.  One is a current employee of the Walmart store, another is a former employee.

From an article:
Police have charged three Red Springs men, 22-year-old Demontra Yates of 105 Milpass St., 17-year-old Jeremy Locklear of 121 Barton Road and 19-year-old Montague Aaron McMillian with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit a robbery with a dangerous weapon. Police did not list an address for McMillian. 
The robbery occurred on Dec. 22 at about 9:45 p.m., according to Police Chief Ronnie Patterson. 
“Someone dressed all in black ran into the store with a handgun and pointed the weapon at the clerk,” Patterson said. “The robber demanded the store’s money bag and quickly left.” 
There were no customers in the 11,000-square-foot store at the time of the robbery and no one was injured. 
Patterson said investigators determined that because the Walmart was closed at the time that someone working inside the store had to let the gunman in. The gunman also appeared to know that employees were about to deposit the day’s receipts at the bank, the chief said. 
“All indications were that it was an inside job,” Patterson said. 
Patterson would not say how much money was taken. 
Police arrested Locklear, who was working at the store, and Yates, a former Walmart employee. 
McMillian is accused of entering the store with the gun. He turned himself into police on Saturday.
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Monday, December 30, 2013

Gunmen kidnap and rob woman and child in Missouri Walmart parking lot

Occurred December 6, 2013.
Scene of kidnapping at Warrensburg Walmart (source)



Two men abducted a woman and her 7-year old child, in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Warrensburg, Missouri.  They forced the woman to drive to an ATM, robbed her, threatened to rape her, threatened to kill her and her child, then dumped them on a deserted road in the cold.

Two suspects have been arrested:  23-year-old Alan E. Briscoe and 21-year-old Kevin A. Ratte.

From an article:
Two men approached the family, one with a gun, and forced the 27-year-old mother to drive them to an ATM with her child in tow. After getting their money, they ordered the woman out of the driver's seat. 
Charges claim 23-year-old Alan E. Briscoe put the woman in the passenger seat up front with him, and gave his 21-year-old accomplice, Kevin A. Ratte, the gun which Ratte kept pointed at the 7-year-old boy in the back seat of the woman's Grand Am. 
The accused kidnappers then took the mother and child down a country road. 
Police say along the way they threatened to rape the woman, then threatened to kill both her and her son. They eventually took the mother and child to a dead end and forced them to lie face down in a field, before driving off in her car. 
Charging documents say both men admitted to their involvement. They each face seven felony charges that include kidnapping, child kidnapping, first-degree robbery, stealing a motor vehicle and sexual misconduct.
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Man steals realistic BB gun from Louisiana Walmart, tries carjacking, robs store, and shot dead by police

Occurred December 28, 2013.


A 22-year old man, Joseph Glenn, stole a realistic-looking BB gun from a Walmart store in Ruston, Louisiana.  He then tried to use the gun to carjack or kidnap a woman in the Walmart parking lot.

Later, he used the gun in a robbery of a gas station.  When police showed up at his hotel room, Glenn brandished the gun and was shot by police.  He later died from his wounds.  It was only after this point that police realized the gun was a BB gun.

From an article:
Around midnight, Ruston Police responded to an armed robbery at a gas station on Louisiana Highway 33 in Ruston. Later, officers were called to an aggravated kidnapping at Walmart. A description of the subject, and evidence from both scenes, led police to identify Joseph Glenn, 22, of Grambling as the suspect in both crimes. ....
Surveillance footage from the Walmart in Ruston shows the suspect stealing the BB pistol from the store. According to sources close to the investigation, this was just before the suspect attempted to steal a car from the Walmart parking lot with a woman inside. 
The suspect was identified as Joseph Glenn of Grambling, and was located early Sunday morning at the Hampton Inn in Ruston. That's where he drew his weapon, and was shot by Ruston Police officers. 
Glenn was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
There is no reason for BB guns to look realistic, and no reason for Walmart to sell them.

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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Shots fired at a North Carolina Walmart

Occurred December 28, 2013.

(UPDATED -- see below)

Shots were fired in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Kernersville, North Carolina.  Police arrived and searched, but the shooter(s) got away.

From an article:
Police confirmed to WFMY News 2 that a call came in around 9:40 p.m. Saturday about shots fired outside the business. They say four shots had been fired in the parking lot at a vehicle that left the scene. The car was later found.
The store was evacuated because officers received word that two people involved in the shooting ran inside the store. Officers found them and say they are considered persons of interest. Investigators also found a gun at the scene.
Police say there were no reports of injuries. Customers were allowed back inside the store shortly after the shooting.
This is the second shooting at that Walmart store in a little over a year.  In October, 2012, a man shot into the store with a handgun.


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UPDATE (12/29/13):  The previous article was retracted.  HERE is an update.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Possible shots fired in North Carolina Walmart

Occurred December 24, 2013.


22-year old Christian York had been banned for shoplifting, but still re-entered a Walmart store in Aberdeen, North Carolina.  When confronted, York dropped a gun, which was picked up by his younger brother.  Shoppers reported shots fired, but police could not confirm this.

From an article:
A 22-year-old man who was banned from the Walmart for a previous shoplifting incident was spotted in the store early in the afternoon. Police confronted the man, later identified as Christian York. 

Police said York dropped a gun during the confrontation which was picked up by his 18-year-old brother, Justin York.
Justin York ran into the parking lot where he dropped the weapon, according to police.
Both men were taken into custody.

A witness told WNCN that shoppers heard what sounded like at least two gun shots near the grocery side of the store, located at 250 Turner St, around 3:30 p.m.
"We heard pops and then we saw everybody running towards one of the entrance doors, just massive amounts of people, just a stampede," said witness Ann Craven. 

Craven said Walmart associates told customers to evacuate the store.
Police said no shots were fired and no one was seriously injured in the incident.
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Man shot to death in California Walmart parking lot after drug deal gone wrong

Occurred December 23, 2013.

(UPDATED -- See below)

A 24-year old man was found in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Oakland, California, suffering from at least one gunshot wound.  He died soon after.

From an article:
The man was found unresponsive and suffering from at least one gunshot wound outside the store on the 8400 block of Edgewater Drive.
Officials said emergency medical personnel gave first aid to the man but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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UPDATE (3/3/14):   The man was shot to death with a sawed off shotgun, by two others.  The three had met in the parking lot in a drug deal, and the shooters made off with stolen marijuana.

From an article:
Vincent Muzac, 24, of Alameda was found shot to death in the parking lot of the store at 8400 Edgewater Dr. at 12:35 p.m. Dec. 22.
Police determined that Shawndale Boyd, 30, of Hayward and Damion Sleugh, 26, of Oakland had hatched a plan to rob Muzac of a "large quantity of marijuana," Oakland police Officer Phong Tran wrote in court documents.
After Muzac showed up in the parking lot, Boyd, who has a previous conviction for selling cocaine, directed him to Sleugh, who shot the victim before both men fled with the stolen pot, Tran wrote.
Police found a loaded, 12-gauge shotgun with a sawed-off barrel in Sleugh's apartment, police said.

Sleugh was already a felon.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Shoplifter shot by police at Texas Walmart

Occurred December 22, 2013.


A reported shoplifter was approached by police in the parking lot of a Walmart store in San Antonio, Texas.  When the suspect tried to flee in his car, and hit a couple officers with his door, the officers opened fire, hitting the suspect in the arm.

From an article:
Police tell 1200 WOAI news the officers were in full uniform when a store employee pointed out a man who had been stealing from the store.  The officers spotted him in the parking lot and approached the car.

  After a brief conversation, police say the man threw his car into gear and tried to speed away, injuring the two officers who were struck by the door of the man's car.

  One of the officers pulled a gun and shot the suspect in the arm.  He was treated for wounds which were not life threatening and will face felony charges.

  The two officers were not seriously hurt.  Officials say nobody in the parking lot of the busy store was in any danger.

They weren't in any danger, other than bullets flying and a car trying to speed away...

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Attempted armored truck robbery results in shooting at Indiana Walmart

Occurred December 22, 2013.
Scene of shooting at Indianapolis Walmart (source)


(UPDATED -- See below)

A man attempted to rob a Brinks armored truck security guard in front of a Walmart store in Indianapolis, Indiana.  But the security guard pulled his gun and shot the suspect.

The suspect, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was injured.

From an article:
The robber, who has not been identified, was shot several times and was injured but was wearing a bullet-proof vest, police said. He was in serious condition. The guard was not seriously hurt. 
The shooting happened outside a Walmart at 7245 S. U.S. 31, at about 4:30 p.m., when the guard was hauling a bag of cash from the store to his armored truck, said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Christopher Wilburn. 
The suspect approached the guard near the truck, shot pepper spray into his eyes and tried to grab the bag of cash. But the guard struggled with the man, managed to pull out his gun and shot the suspect, Wilburn said. 
Dozens of people saw the daylight robbery attempt After the robber was shot he tried to run away and was tackled by a citizen and an off-duty officer, Wilburn said.
This is the scene of another incident, another attempted robbery using a gun, just days before!

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UPDATE (12/26/13):  According to another article, an armed bystander with a .22-caliber handgun chased the suspect after the initial shooting, and even tried to shoot the suspect, failed, then tackled the suspect and held him at gunpoint.  From the article:
A 37-year-old Indianapolis father with a .22-caliber handgun chased down the already-wounded suspect, slammed him to the ground and stuck a gun to his head until police arrived.
"Don't resist or move unless you want your brains splattered all over the pavement," the citizen, whose name is Jeff, told the suspect. ....
Jeff told The Star that he not only tackled Jackson but tried to shoot him seconds before. Jeff chased Jackson until he was five to 10 yards behind him. Jeff stopped, raised the .22 and squeezed the trigger.
The gun didn't fire. The safety was on.
"He most likely would have been dead," Jeff said. "But I'm glad no one was hurt."
Law enforcement officials and policing experts said that although Jeff helped apprehend a suspect in a violent crime, he put the public in danger.
"If you pull a weapon in a crowded place you need to be highly trained in how to use it," said Jim White, a former Indiana state police officer who is a senior lecturer at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis' School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
"There are just so many things that can wrong. Police and soldiers go through thousands of hours of training for this, and it is still the riskiest thing they will encounter on the job."
.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Realistic-looking BB guns stolen by gang members from Mississippi Walmart

Occurred December 17, 2013.


Five boys, who may be gang members, entered a Walmart store in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and stole five realistic-looking BB guns. 

According to police, such guns are often used by gangs in the area to commit crimes, since they cannot easily be distinguished from real guns.

From an article:
"These boys went into Walmart and they stole ... It was five of these stolen and they all got one," said Holly Springs Police Chief William Hollowell.
Hollowell is concerned about teens and gangs using BB guns to commit crimes.
"It looks like a gun, but it's not a real gun ... The people in the store think it's a real gun," said Hollowell.
The guns look so similar that most consumers cannot tell what is real and what is fake.
"We keep taking these guns from kids. If there's an incident where somebody is shot over these things that would just be a terrible thing to happen," said Hollowell.
Volunteer high school football Coach Danny Warren said many of the kids play with them for a joke.
"Some people don't take it as a joke. It'd more considered dangerous. Parents need to stop and talk to them," he said....
Hollowell said he does not want to see anymore young men die or lives ruined.
"If a police officer has to shoot someone that could very well bed his career," said Hollowell.
Chief Hollowell asked the local Walmart to put the BB guns in the same cases with the real guns they have in stock.

Sounds like a good idea, but here's a better one:  stop selling them.

There is no good reason for BB and pellet guns to look real, and they are routinely used to commit crimes, threaten, or injure, including at Walmart stores.

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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Jealous Walmart employee shoots car of another employee in Florida

Occurred December, 2013.
Willie Mitchell shooting at vehicle at Deerfield Beach Walmart
(source)



Jealous over another employee being named "employee of the month" at a Walmart in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Walmart employee Willie Mitchell pulled his car up to his rival's in the Walmart parking lot and opened fire, striking the other employee's SUV once, before fleeing.

From an article:
Willie Mitchell pulled up to the unidentified Employee of the Month’s unoccupied car earlier this month in the parking lot of the Deerfield Beach Walmart, rolled down his back window, fired a single shot  into the vehicle and then drove off, according to CBS4 in Miami. 
“She was announced as the employee of the month which you would think that would be something good, people would be happy for her,” Broward County Sherriff’s Office Spokesperson Veda Coleman-Wright reportedly said. “But there was one employee who wasn’t happy.” 
The shooting reportedly came just hours after the victim had been named the Walmart branch’s Employee of the Month. In the wake of the announcement, police told CBS4 Mitchell argued with the victim over their respective workloads and told her repeatedly, “I’m gonna show you.” 
Mitchell reportedly knew the victim was not in the car when he fired the shot, having reportedly asked someone in the parking lot if she was already at work just before the incident took place. 
“Perhaps [Mitchell] wanted to be employee of the month but clearly these actions that we saw in response to this, I think we see why he wasn’t chosen as employee of the month,” Coleman-Wright told CBS4. 
A Walmart spokesperson reportedly said Mitchell no longer works for the company, adding the Employee of the Month award does not come with any monetary benefit other than recognition for a job well done.
A related article, with images of the suspect and stillframes from surveillance videos.

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Colorado man threatens to shoot woman over a Walmart parking space

Occurred December 10, 2013.


A woman, Shakia Bush, and her four children were waiting for a car to exit a handicapped parking spot, in the parking lot of a Walmart in Aurora, Colorado.  That's when an impatient driver, Justin West, confronted the woman and threatened to shoot her to death for blocking his way.  The woman called for help, and the man fled.

West was later questioned, but evidence wasn't strong enough to arrest him.

From an article:
She and her family had gone to Walmart on South Chambers at Parker Road to get some food when they were confronted by a man with a gun, who was angry that Bush was waiting in the traffic lane for another motorist to vacate a handicap parking space. 
“He yelled at me to move out of the way,” Bush told 7NEWS.  “I yelled back and told him to drive around me.” 
She said that when the man continued yelling, she got out of her car to explain that she had a handicapped child and needed the handicap parking space. 
“That’s when he really started yelling obscenities,” she said. 
Bush said the other driver then went back to his car and grabbed a gun. 
“He showed it to me in the air, then held it to his chest and said, ‘B****, I have a gun. I will shoot your a**.” 
Bush said the threat startled her, her sons, ages 10 and 11 and her niece and nephew, ages 5 and 2. 
"My 10-year old son was saying ‘Mommy, he’s going to shoot you. I don’t want him to shoot you,’” she said. 
Bush says she yelled, “He’s pulling a gun on a woman,” loud enough so that bystanders could hear.  She then called 911 on her cell phone and read his license plate number to the operator. 
“That’s when he got back into his car and took off,” she said. 
Police used the license plate number to identify the other motorist as Justin West.
Officers went to his house to get his version of events. 
According to the incident report, West told police that he honked at the woman and she started yelling at him.  He said they got into an argument and at one point, Bush’s rear car door opened. He said he thought, “People were going to jump out and attack him.”
He said he told the woman, “I have a gun and will defend myself.” 
“What was he defending himself from?” Bush asked, “a mom and four kids?  He was angry over a traffic incident. He hopped out of his car first and started yelling and screaming at me.” 
The Aurora mom said neither she, nor anyone in her car threatened West.
West makes the same claim. 
According to the incident report, he told police that “he never pointed the gun at anyone and never threatened to shoot anyone.” 
Police say Walmart’s security video shows Bush’s car blocking traffic, and West pulling up behind her for about 60 seconds. It also shows West getting out of his car and the two arguing for about 60 seconds. They say it shows West waving and pointing his left hand “but you cannot see a gun in the video.” He then gets back into his car and drives away. 
The report does not state why West got out of his car, nor why he didn’t just drive around Bush. 
“I think he felt a woman was talking back to him, so he needs to prove a point,” Bush said. 
When asked if there was evidence of menacing, Aurora police spokesman Frank Fania said, “There is no evidence to support felony menacing. Witnesses and video confirm the gun was never pointed at anyone.” 
The police report does state that investigators examined and photographed the gun at West’s house. It was “a black .45 Remington model 1911 with a full magazine of ball ammo in the weapon and no round in the chamber.” 
So far, no charges have been filed, but Bush says as far as she’s concerned, West broke the law. 
“I really feel that people need to be held accountable for their actions,” she told 7NEWS. “My children were scared that something was going to happen to them.” 
Former Denver prosecutor Karen Steinhauser said a gun doesn’t have to be pointed at someone for a felony menacing charge. 
“It’s menacing if your intent was to put someone in fear of their life,” she said. “The question investigators have to ask is, ‘was he in fear of imminent harm?”
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Security guard attacked by gunman in Indiana Walmart parking lot

December 19, 2013.


A 70-year old security guard, in uniform, was getting into his car in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Indianapolis, Indiana, during daytime, when he was attacked by a man wielding a gun.  The two fought each other.  The attacker then fled, but was later arrested.

Luckily, no one was injured.

According to the article, the gun may have been a realistic-looking BB gun.

From an article:
Doyle Robling has had some close calls in his life, but nothing like his run-in with a gunman Thursday afternoon. As he closed his car door leaving Walmart on US 31 South, someone suddenly pulled his car door open. 
"He got down real low here and he yanked it open and had a gun and then we got in a scuffle," Robling said. 
Even after explaining he had no cash, Robling feared getting shot. Despite the gun, he continued the scuffle with his attacker, just a few feet from Walmart's front door. 
"Broad daylight, fifth parking spot from the main entrance to the grocery store," Robling said. 
In the midst of the struggle, Robling's driver's side window got shattered and has since been repaired. He says eventually, the attacker jumped into a car and sped away. 
But one eyewitness led police to 43-year-old Anthony Spencer, because she wrote down the license plate. 
Robling says what surprised him is not only did it happen in broad daylight, but right in front of other shoppers. 
"The one lady saw me put my stuff in the car and she was sitting there waiting to take my parking spot," he said. 
Since Robling was attacked wearing his security guard uniform, he says that's reason enough to warn other shoppers not to let their guard down.
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Friday, December 20, 2013

Man wounded in shooting behind Walmart and Sam's Club in Florida

Occurred December 14, 2013.


A man was shot and wounded in the loading dock area behind a Walmart and neighboring Sam's Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

From an article:
West Palm Beach police said the victim was shot in the arm and leg at 9:45 p.m. somewhere behind the Walmart and Sam’s Club on 45th Street. 
Investigators said the shooting didn’t happen inside the stores or in the parking lot. They are focusing their investigation on the loading area and the streets behind the shopping plaza.
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Armed robbery at a Texas Walmart

Occurred November 27, 2013.


Two men were reported to have robbed some people in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Round Rock, Texas.  They then went on to rob another person later.

From an article:
Police responded to reports of an armed robbery in the Walmart parking lot at 2701 S. IH 35 around 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 27. The victims said they had been approached by two males, one displaying a handgun and demanding money while the other stood by. 
Thirty minutes later, police responded to a nearby residential area on Dixie Lane for another robbery with suspects matching the same description. The female victim said the men approached her as she got out of her vehicle at her home.
HERE is a link to sketches of the suspects.

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Shoplifters fire at police officer at Ohio Walmart

Occurred December 15, 2013.


A group of people were reported shoplifting carts full of goods from an Alliance, Ohio, Walmart store.  When police arrived, one of the suspects fired a handgun at the officer.  Luckily no one was injured.

From an article:
A call was received by Alliance police at approximately 10 p.m. and when police responded they took a report from the manager of Walmart, who said he was tipped off about the operation and he had followed the suspects to a car waiting for them. He further stated he was shot at by the individuals as they were flinging the goods into the car and rushing to take off. Some of the items left behind in their haste included washcloths, men's cologne, boots, slippers, a blow-up mattress, sweatshirts, leather belts, women's lotions, men's underwear, and even a package of Christmas gift boxes to wrap the presents in.
Sgt. David Bair, who is in charge of the investigation, indicated thieves often put a lot of different types of things into their carts to appear inconspicuous. If they walk right up to the electronics section and load a TV or computer into their cart, they could be watched more closely, he said.
Regarding the possible gunshots, Bair said the manager reported the gunfire wasn't very loud, so it is thought by police it could have been a pellet gun, or even a noise made by the car. As of 4:45 p.m. Monday, the investigation was continuing, but no evidence was yet found to support the testimony of the manager related to the shots being fired.
"We've got officers there now gathering and reviewing surveillance videos from Walmart," said Bair, "and we're hoping to identify someone that was involved."
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Man shoots himself to death in Nevada Walmart store

Occurred December 15, 2013.


An man with a handgun entered a Las Vegas, Nevada Walmart, entered the sporting goods department, then fatally shot himself in the head in an apparent suicide.

Walmart allows conceal carry in its stores.

From an article:
The Clark County coroner’s office identified the man who shot and killed himself at the Wal-Mart Supercenter near Nellis Air Force Base on Saturday morning. 
Karl Joseph Tresemer, 35, of Medford, Ore., shot himself in the head with his own gun in the sporting goods section of the store located at 4350 N. Nellis Blvd. near Las Vegas Boulevard about 6:15 a.m., Las Vegas police said. 
He had walked around the store for a few minutes, but did not threaten or pointed his gun at anybody prior to killing himself, according to police. 
The manner of death was ruled a suicide by the coroner’s office.
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Carjacking and kidnapping by armed gunmen at Walmart in Georgia

Occurred December 9, 2013.


A young, female employee was going to her car at a Walmart store in Columbus, Georgia, when two men accosted her with a gun, carjacked her, kidnapped her for a short distance, then stole the vehicle.

Luckily she was unharmed.

From an article:
Police were flagged down by the teen near midnight Tuesday in the parking lot of the 6475 Gateway Road store. She told police that two men threatened her with a pistol, demanding her blue 2006 Ford Escape at about 11:15 p.m. 
She also reported that the men kidnapped her, which under Georgia Code can be committed by anyone who "steals away another person without lawful authority or warrant and holds such other person against his or her will." Since the code states that "slight movement shall be sufficient," the victim could have only been transported a short distance against her will for the charge to apply. 
The details surrounding the victim's alleged kidnapping were not given.

Read more here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/12/10/2848416/teen-walmart-employee-kidnapped.html#storylink=cpy
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Walmart employee with concealed weapon in Mississippi fires shots at girlfriend in parking lot

Occurred December 8, 2013.


A Walmart employee, Johnny Earl Allen, 20, was retrieving shopping carts in the parking lot of his store in Gulfport, Mississippi, when his ex-girlfriend pulled into the parking lot with friends.  He then pulled out a handgun that he had had concealed on his body, while working, and opened fire on her car. 

Luckily, no one was injured.

From an article:
Johnny Earl Allen, 20, of Gulfport, was retrieving shopping carts at the store on U.S. 49 when he saw them driving toward the building and pulled out a gun and began firing, McDaniel said. 
"We believe he had the gun on his person while he was at work," he said. 
No one was injured. 
Investigators believe Allen ran from the scene and got in a gold Chevrolet Blazer. 
Police said they found Allen late Sunday night and arrested him on a charge of aggravated domestic assault and three counts of aggravated assault. 
"This does not mean Christmas shoppers are in danger," McDaniel said. "This was not a random shooting. It was domestic-related."

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/12/09/5180672/walmart-worker-accused-of-firing.html#storylink=cpy
Umm, yes, shoppers were in danger!  Anytime anyone is shooting at a moving vehicle in a crowded parking lot, everyone there is in danger!

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Armed robbery by gunmen in North Carolina Walmart

Occurred December 6, 2013.


A man and woman entered a Walmart store in Greensboro, North Carolina, and tried to shoplift some items.  When a loss-prevention employee approached them, the man threatened the employee with a gun and then fled.  Luckily no one was harmed.

From an article:
The male suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at a loss prevention officer before police arrived. No injuries were reported. 
Police said they circled the area and were able to recover the stolen property, but the suspects are still wanted.
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Shots fired at a Cincinnati Walmart lead to school lockdowns

Occurred December 3, 2013.


Shots were fired in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Cincinnati, Ohio, leading two nearby schools to lock down.

The suspects were not caught.

From an article:
Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m.  Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters.  There was no interruption to classes.

Officers cleared the area and the schools returned to normal.
Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m. Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters. There was no interruption to classes.

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/news/features/top-stories/stories/archive/2013/12/BXhXfLO0.xml#.UqAf3uIVA04
Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m. Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters. There was no interruption to classes.

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/news/features/top-stories/stories/archive/2013/12/BXhXfLO0.xml#.UqAf3uIVA04
Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m. Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters. There was no interruption to classes. Officers cleared the area and the schools returned to normal.

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/news/features/top-stories/stories/archive/2013/12/BXhXfLO0.xml#.UqAf3uIVA04
Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m. Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters. There was no interruption to classes. Officers cleared the area and the schools returned to normal.

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/news/features/top-stories/stories/archive/2013/12/BXhXfLO0.xml#.UqAf3uIVA04
Shots fired outside a Westwood business leads administrators to lock down two schools Tuesday morning. Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m. Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters. There was no interruption to classes. Officers cleared the area and the schools returned to normal.

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/news/features/top-stories/stories/archive/2013/12/BXhXfLO0.xml#.UqAf3uIVA04
Shots fired outside a Westwood business leads administrators to lock down two schools Tuesday morning. Police say the shots were fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Ferguson Avenue just after 8 a.m. Western Hills High School and Dater High School went into lock down while officers searched for the shooters. There was no interruption to classes. Officers cleared the area and the schools returned to normal.

Read More at: http://www.local12.com/template/cgi-bin/archived.pl?type=basic&file=/news/features/top-stories/stories/archive/2013/12/BXhXfLO0.xml#.UqAf3uIVA04
A news video accompanying the article.

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Two gunmen rob bank inside a North Carolina Walmart

Occurred December 1, 2013.


Two men entered a Walmart in Charlotte, North Carolina, and went to the Woodforest National Bank branch located inside.  There they pulled out guns and robbed the bank before fleeing.

Luckily, no shots were fired.

From an article which includes pictures and descriptions of the suspects:
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Robbery Unit, two men robbed the Woodforest National Bank inside the Wilkinson Boulevard Walmart Sunday afternoon.
Detectives say the two men demanded money from a teller and fled the business.
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Man with gun robs victim in Kentucky Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 26, 2013.


38-year old Sean Rosser, armed with a gun, threatened and robbed a victim in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Louisville, Kentucky. 

On December 3, Rosser was arrested and admitted to the crime.

From an article:
A Mount Washington man was arrested Monday after admitting his involvement in an armed robbery outside a Louisville store, according to police.
Sean Rosser, 38, told investigators that on November 26, he pointed a handgun at a victim in the parking lot of the Walmart at 7201 Outer Loop with the intention of stealing the victim's property.
Rosser is charged with 1st degree robbery.
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Sunday, December 1, 2013

Men with guns rob California Walmart

Occurred August 27, 2013.


Three men with guns entered a Walmart store in Stockton, California, and robbed employees of money from the cash registers.  Luckily no one was injured.

From an article:
Police in Stockton say the Walmart on Trinity Parkway was robbed at gunpoint late Sunday night.
Three men walked into the store at about 11:24 p.m., ordering employees on the floor and demanding money, police say. According to investigators, the thieves took money out of the registers and left.
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Men with gun rob California Walmart

Occurred November 27, 2013.


Two men entered a Walmart store in Manteca, California, when money bags were being unloaded.  They then robbed the employees at gunpoint and fled.

Luckily, no one was injured.

From an article:
The Wal-Mart armed robbery was reported in the midnight hour early Wednesday when employees,  who were removing money from bank bags,  were ordered to the floor inside the store, according to Manteca Police Lieutenant Tony Souza.

Souza said one of the men produced a hand gun and the other picked up the sacks of money.  The robbers were described as black male adults.  One was 5-foot-7 and wore a black wrestling type mask, hooded sweat shirt and weighed an estimated 165 pounds.

His accomplice was described as being of average height and wearing a camouflage sweat shirt.  Witnesses said they fled the store parking lot in a silver 2000 Honda CRV in an unknown direction. In both cases an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.  Similar Wal-Mart robberies have been reported in Stockton, police said.
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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Man steals gun from Illinois Walmart and uses it to rob other businesses that day

Occurred November 25, 2013.


18-year old Kenyate Jackson robbed a handgun from the local Walmart in Decatur, Illinois.  Later that day, he used the gun to hold up a gas station and a video store.

He was captured the next day.

Jackson had been released from prison only 19 days before.  

From an article:
Police say Jackson robbed the Thornton Oil gas station, on Mound Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. He allegedly pointed a gun at the 26-year-old female employee.  The gun was stolen earlier that morning from Walmart. He told the employee to give him all the money, remove her clothing and lay on the ground.

Jackson also robbed the Family Video shortly after robbing the Thornton's gas station.

Police found Jackson the next day at the Family Video.

During Jackson's interview with police, he confessed to the robbery of the gas station, the theft of the gun, and for the armed robbery of Family Video.
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Woman with gun robs customer at Missouri Walmart

Occurred November 17, 2013.


A woman with a gun robbed a female customer in the parking lot of a Walmart in Wentzville, Missouri.

From an article, which has a picture of the suspect:
According to police, the female robbery suspect, who is described as “heavy set,” approached a woman in the parking lot on November 17. The suspect demanded the victim’s purse. 
The victim refused, so the suspect pulled out a silver handgun and asked for the purse a second time. The victim, then, handed over the cash from her purse to protect herself. 
Police say, the suspect was last seen running toward, then entering, an early 2000s gold-colored two-door Chevrolet Blazer.
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Monday, November 25, 2013

Robber fires shot in California Walmart

Occurred November 23, 2013.
Scene of shooting in San Diego Walmart
(screenpic from video at source)



A man with a gun held up cashiers at a Walmart store in San Diego, California.  When one of them didn't work fast enough to get him the money, he fired a shot in the air.  He then fled with money from the other cash register.

Luckily no one was hurt.  The robber got a way.

From an article:
A heavyset black man in a dark, hooded jacket walked into the store off College Grove way about 6:25 p.m., went behind the service center counter and ordered two clerks there to open their cash registers, Rorrison said. 
One cashier did so, but when the other one couldn’t get her register open, the robber fired his pistol toward the ceiling. He grabbed money from the one register and left the store. 
Rorrison said customers ran in all directions when they heard the shot. Two security guards ran outside after the robber, but lost sight of him.
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Friday, November 22, 2013

Shooter tracked to Ohio Walmart and shot to death by SWAT

Occurred November 22, 2013.
Scene of fatal shooting at Columbus Walmart (source)



47-year old Danny Thornton knocked on a door at a home in Grove City, Ohio, and then shot a 9-year old boy, Jaiden Dixon, in the face.  Jaiden had been preparing to leave for school in the morning when he opened the door.  Two other boys, ages 17 and 18, were at the home as well.

Thornton then went to a dental office, where he shot his ex-girlfriend.

A SWAT team caught up to Thornton at the Columbus, Ohio, Walmart and a shootout occurred.  When the bullets stopped flying, Thornton was dead, and a SWAT team member was injured.

The boy, Jaiden, is on life support until his organs can be donated, according to his family.

The ex-girlfriend is now in critical condition.

Thornton's motive for the shootings, or why he fled to Walmart, have not been released.

From an article, which has pictures of Thornton and 9-year old Jaiden:
Around 9:45 a.m., he was tracked to a location near Morse and Stelzer Roads at a Walmart across from Easton Town Center. 
As police moved in, they say Thornton fired. 
"Once they moved in, the suspect exited his car, with a handgun in his hand; raised it towards the officers and that's when the shots were fired," said Sgt. Rich Weiner, CPD. "We don't have to wait for the suspect to fire. If he raises that weapon in a threatening manner, the officers can go ahead and use deadly force." 
Thornton was killed in the exchange. 
A SWAT officer was shot in the abdomen and hip area during the exchange of gunfire. 
Police said Officer Steve Smith was the man injured in the shootout with Thornton. Officials say the 24 year veteran of the force is being kept for observation and is in good spirits. Two other SWAT officers were also involved in the shooting but not injured. 
Jaiden Dixon is in critical condition at Nationwide Children's Hospital. His mother and brother were at the home but not injured in the shooting. His mother has posted on Facebook that the family that Jaiden is being kept on life support to donate his organs.
From another article, identifying the female victim and stating that the Walmart store remained open after the incident:

After shooting the boy, investigators believe Thornton traveled to Mark A. Pitts D.D.S. at 4409 Crossroads Center, where he shot employee Vicki Vertin in the office's lobby. Vertin was taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition. 
A relative of Vertin told ABC 6/FOX 28 the victim was the mother of one of Thornton's children. 
Several Columbus and Grove City schools were locked down as police searched for Thornton, 47, who was traveling in a Toyota Camry. That car was eventually spotted in the Walmart parking lot, at which time SWAT officers were sent to the area. 
Police have not released specific details about the shootout, which occurred at approximately 11 a.m. 
Customers were allowed to enter and exit Walmart after Thornton was declared dead, but drivers were prohibited from removing their cars from the parking lot until police completed their examination at approximately 2 p.m. 
Police have not released a possible motive for the alleged shooting spree. Thornton's criminal record includes a 1985 charge of felonious assault, and a 1992 indictment for carrying a concealed weapon. He spent four days in jail in 2007 after failing to appear in court.
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UPDATE (7/25/14):   9-year old victim, Jaiden Dixon, has his organs donated.  A little girl in St. Louis received his lungs and is alive today because of him.  Read about it HERE.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Conceal carry gun owner unintentionally fires gun in Iowa Walmart and continues shopping

Occurred November 17, 2013.


Christopher Strube, a legal conceal carry permit holder, was shopping in a Walmart store in Centerville, Iowa, when he unintentionally fired his concealed handgun, hitting some items in his cart but not injuring himself or others, luckily.  

Amazingly, he acted like nothing happened, continued shopping, paid for his goods, and left the store.

He was reported and arrested.

The store remained open throughout the event.

From an article:
Officers said Christopher William Strube, of Centerville, was shopping Sunday afternoon when the .45-caliber handgun fired from his pants pocket. 
Investigators said the 50-year-old Strube told them a bottle he was carrying struck the weapon and caused it to fire one round. 
Police said Strube told them he paid for his items and left the store. 
Store employees and other shoppers reported the gunshot, and police said they smelled gunpowder and found a bullet hole in a basket and several cans of beans. 
They also found a .45-caliber bullet in one of the cans of beans. 
Strube, who has a valid concealed carry permit, was arrested the following morning and charged with discharging a weapon within city limits.
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Pennsylvania Walmart employee shot to death in store parking lot by ex-boyfriend

Occurred November 17, 2013.
Scene of shooting at New Brighton Walmart (source)



22-year old Mariah Anderson, an employee at a Walmart store in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, was just driving out of the parking lot after work when shots were fired into her car, killing her.  The shots were fired by her ex-boyfriend and the father of her children, 27-year-old Carlos Harper. 

Police tracked Harper down at his apartment.  Harper fired at least one shot at them with his .40-caliber handgun, then turned the gun on himself, killing himself.

Their three children, ages 1, 3, and 4, now are orphans.

Harper had been stalking her prior to that point, waiting for her after her work, and had been jailed for assaulting Anderson a week before, but was out on bond.

The victim's sister said that Mariah had been afraid to go to work because of being stalked by the shooter.

From an article:
Police said Harper shot Mariah Anderson, 22, after she was escorted to her car by a coworker outside a Walmart in Union Township, near New Castle, on Sunday night. 
Investigators say Anderson had just finished her shift at the store and was driving away in her SUV when several shots were fired into the vehicle at about 11:15 p.m. Anderson died on the way to the hospital. 
"There is some video from Walmart and some witness interviews that were done that led us to the suspect," Lt. Eric Hermick said. 
Anderson had three children, ages 1, 3, and 4, according to her sister, who also said that Anderson had recently broken up with the father of her children. She said that Anderson had filed for a protection-from-abuse order, and that police had taken the man away from the store a couple of times before Sunday.  .... 
"Every day, he'll be at her job, sitting out, waiting for her to get off so he could follow her. Every day, she would have to call the police," Anderson's sister said. "It got to the point where he was hiding in her trunk of her car and just following her around from work and having people go to her job, watching her, things of that nature." 
A criminal complaint was filed Wednesday against Harper, and it lists charges of simple assault (domestic violence), false imprisonment, indecent assault and harassment. 
Anderson is identified as the victim in that incident, which happened at her home, according to the paperwork.
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Friday, November 15, 2013

Maine caller phones Walmart asking to buy assault weapon "for school tomorrow"

Occurred November 14, 2013.


A young man called the Walmart store in Newport, Maine, asking if they sold assault rifles, stating, "I need it for school tomorrow."  Upon transfer to the sporting goods department (!), he hung up before transfer was complete. No caller ID was determined.

As a result, area schools and police were put on alert.

From an article:
Newport and Pittsfield schools were placed on alert Friday after a young male called a local Walmart on Thursday, asked if the store sold assault rifles and reportedly said, “I need it for school tomorrow,” according to Newport police. 
Newport police Chief Leonard Macdaid said security at Walmart in Palmyra called him on Thursday afternoon to report the call made to the store. 
“He asked if they had assault rifles there,” Macdaid said on Friday morning. “When the lady told him, ‘I’m not sure, I’ll transfer you to sporting goods,’ the young male said, ‘I need it for school tomorrow.’” 
Macdaid said the young male hung up before the transfer was complete and no caller ID was available. 
“We have no idea where the call came from,” said Macdaid. “We’re erring on the side of caution and have put out a statewide police bulletin.” 
Maine State Police and Pittsfield police were also made aware of the indirect threat, said Macdaid. 
The woman at Walmart said the young male who called “wasn’t irate or threatening. He was talking calmly,” said Macdaid. 
All eight of RSU 19’s schools began operating their “shelter in place” procedures, Superintendent Greg Potter said Friday. The schools are controlling access to buildings and are restricting outdoor activities. The procedures may continue into next week, he said.

Read more here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/11/14/2797650/shots-fired-in-airport-thruway.html#storylink=cpy
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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Woman shot at in Georgia Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 13, 2013.


A woman was shot at while in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Columbus, Georgia.  Luckily, there were no injuries.

From an article:
Police are searching for a suspect who allegedly fired a gun at a 29-year-old woman outside the Airport Thruway Walmart, according to a Columbus Police report. 
Officers did not list a description of the suspect, who allegedly opened fire at about 10:30 p.m., Wednesday. 
No injuries were listed.




Read more here: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/11/14/2797650/shots-fired-in-airport-thruway.html#storylink=cpy
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Elderly woman robbed at gunpoint in Wyoming Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 10, 2013.

(UPDATED -- See below)
Three suspects, including a 16-year old boy, robbed an elderly woman of her purse, at gunpoint, in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Riverton, Wyoming, in order to get "gas money."  The boy, Adrian Joseph Sixfeathers, was the robber with the gun.

A police chase ensued, and all three were arrested.

The gun turned out to be a realistic-looking pellet gun.

From an article:
In interviews with investigators, Underwood said she, Sixfeathers and Oldman had been involved in the robbery. 
She said Sixfeathers had suggested the three suspects go to Walmart on Sunday afternoon so he could "grab a bag" from someone. 
"Underwood knew that the purpose was to get gas money," Riverton Police Department Detective Scott Gardner said in his affidavit. 
The trio drove to the store in a silver Chevy Monte Carlo, and Underwood said she parked the car in the lot. 
She said Sixfeathers got out of the vehicle and ran back a short time later with a purse.
"(He) told her to 'go go go,'" Gardner said. 
According to witnesses and video footage, the teen had drawn a gun on a 64-year-old Riverton woman on the northwest side of the parking lot, threatening to shoot her if she didn't give him her purse. 
Gardner said the woman had been leaving the store with her purchased items when Sixfeathers approached her, "pulled a black handgun out and pulled the slide back." 
The woman was not injured in the incident. .... 
After acquiring the handbag, all three suspects reportedly left the area headed south on Federal Boulevard in the Monte Carlo. A witness called police and described the vehicle, which reportedly was missing its back window. 
"The back window (was) broken out with dark plastic covering the window," Gardner wrote.
The caller also identified the suspect vehicle's license plate number. 
Gardner said RPD officer Amy Luton tried to stop the car near the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and East Monroe Avenue, but Underwood failed to yield. 
"(The Monte Carlo) increased speed and continued southbound towards the Wind River Indian Reservation," Gardner wrote. 
Luton pursued the vehicle, which eventually stopped in the 1400 block of 17 Mile Road, about five miles west of Wyoming Highway 789. 
Sixfeathers and Oldman reportedly ran from the car, headed southwest through a field. Gardner said officers engaged in a foot pursuit and eventually apprehended both subjects. 
"Sixfeathers ... was observed throwing an object, later identified as a pellet gun," Gardner wrote. "The pellet gun had the appearance of a semi-automatic handgun." 
The robbery victim later identified the weapon as the one Sixfeathers reportedly used in the Walmart parking lot. 
Gardner said Underwood stayed in the Monte Carlo during the foot chase and surrendered to police. Officers said they found the 64-year-old woman's purse in the vehicle.
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UPDATE (12/20/13):  The teen robber, Sixfeathers, is being charged as an adult:
The 16-year-old who allegedly robbed a woman in the Walmart parking lot using a pellet gun on Nov. 10 is being charged as an adult and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. .... 
According to court documents, the victim told police that after purchasing item in the store and walking to her vehicle when a male subject approached. 
“She stated that the suspect pulled a black handgun out and pulled the slide back,” states the affidavit. “The suspect then pointed the gun to her head and said ‘I’m going to shoot you if you don’t give me your purse.’ She then gave the suspect her purse.” 
The court documents state the woman was able to give a description of the get-away vehicle used, and RPD Officer Amy Luton observed it traveling southbound on Federal Boulevard shortly after the 911 call. The vehicle failed to stop for the officer, and a pursuit continued onto the Wind River Indian Reservation until the suspect vehicle stopped on the 1400 block of 17 Mile Road. 
Two men, later identified as Oldman and Sixfeathers allegedly fled the vehicle. Sixfeathers was observed throwing a pellet gun, which resembled a semi-automatic handgun. Both men were detained, and the victim identified the gun thrown as the one used in the robbery. 
Underwood reportedly remained in the driver’s seat after the vehicle stopped. 
“Underwood admitted during question that she, Adrian Joseph Sixfeathers and Curtis Oldman were involved in the robbery at Wal-Mart,” states the affidavit. “She advised that prior to the robbery she, Sixfeathers, and Oldman were attempting to sell I-pods at the ‘Game Stop’ in Riverton. At that time, Sixfeathers, suggested that they go to Wal-Mart and he would ‘grab a bag’ from someone. Underwood knew that the purpose was to get gas money. She stated that the three went to Wal-Mart and then she parked the car. Sixfeathers got out of the vehicle and ran back a short time later with a purse and told her to ‘go, go, go.’” 
The affidavit also states that the victim’s purse was found in the vehicle driven by Underwood, and that the victim positively identified Sixfeathers as the one who robbed her.
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