Armed vigilante shoots at shoplifter in Florida Walmart

Scene of shooting at Orange City Walmart

Occurred February 27, 2013.

A 42-year old man, Eddie McKee, attempted to shoplift a shopping cart full of meat at an Orange City, Florida, Walmart, knocking down a woman in the process.  

A number of people chased after him, including a person who did not draw their concealed handgun.

But another man, Jose Martinez, 35, decided to play vigilante.  He confronted McKee and then fired a number of shots from his concealed 9mm handgun, shattering McKee's rear window and putting a number of holes in the car, as well as in a number of other cars.  Martinez has a conceal carry permit.

Though the parking lot was busy, luckily no one was injured.

McKee was captured by police a few blocks away.  He is being charged for the shoplifting.

Martinez later claimed that he "wanted to mark the suspect's car" for police.  He also claimed self-defense, saying that McKee was trying to run him over, but this isn't supported by video evidence, which shows that he shot at the car when the car was driving away.  He is now being charged with felonies.

From an article and news video:

But police said Martinez only was bumped by the shoplifter's getaway car because he was chasing after the car and even tried to open the door to the moving vehicle before he opened fire. 

Eddie McKee, 42, was caught shoplifting groceries at the Walmart and took off when security confronted him, knocking down a woman, according to police. 

Several other people chased after the alleged shoplifter, Eddie McKee, and another man was armed but he never drew his gun. McKee was arrested in DeLand shortly after. 

Police said McKee then jumped in his car and took off, but bumped into another car in the parking lot, that's when police say bullets started flying. ... 

"I saw one black gentleman running from the parking lot, he dove in his car. And there were two older gentlemen chasing him down. One drew a gun, ripped open the guys car door and screamed, 'Freeze, freeze, don't move!' And then fired shots," said one 911 caller. 

As the bullets hit the getaway car -- piercing the trunk and shattering the back window -- police said bullets also hit at least two other cars. 

Martinez said to Local 6, he thought nobody else was in danger by his gunfire and he was surprised police arrested him. Martinez started opening fire because he said he wanted to mark the suspect's car as he fled from the scene. He has his concealed weapons permit but has been charged with two felonies, aggravated assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle. 

After reviewing store security video, police said Martinez's story doesn't add up. They believe he was never in danger because the shoplifter was driving away from him and everyone else.

(a related article and news video).

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.


ADDENDUM (3/1/13): A related blog post on this incident, with video of the shoplifter pushing down a bystander.

UPDATE (3/2/13):  See HERE for raw video of the shooting in the parking lot as well as the way the suspect knocked down a bystander.

Deadly shooting at Florida Walmart parking lot

Scene of fatal shooting at Jacksonville Walmart

Occurred February 26, 2013.

Two young men were sitting in a car in the parking lot of a Walmart in Jacksonville, Florida, when a third man walked up to the car, possibly entering the vehicle.

Shots rang out, shot by that third man, who then fled.  The two men in the car fled as well, to a nearby gas station.  One of them was injured and later died.

From an article and news video:

"Officers went on location at both scenes simultaneously. What we found here was a victim with life-threatening injuries, he'd been shot. He was taken to Shands (Jacksonville Medical Center) and has since died, so this is a homicide," Judge said. 

Homicide detectives were interviewing witnesses and searching for the shooter. 

"Talking to witnesses, it appears the victim and another male were in the vehicle together, when a third male approached them on foot," JSO Sgt. Shawn Coarsey said.  

"The third male possibly got into the vehicle with them. Something happened at that point. Shots were fired. The third male got out of the vehicle and fled on foot." 

Investigators did not know if the suspect knew the victim and his friend.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.


UPDATE (3/1/13):  The victim is identified as 21-year old Anthony Blake Bannister.  

The shooting was apparently a drug deal gone bad.  Two people have been charged in the shooting.  From the article:

Jameel Malik Burroughs, 19, was the triggerman who shot twice into a car with two men inside, said Lt. Rob Schoonover. He and De’Jon Frazier, 18, were charged with murder Thursday. 

Burroughs and Frazier, who are roommates in the 8000 block of Atlantic Boulevard, attended welding school with the victim, Anthony Bannister, 20 and his companion in the car, Frederick L. Philips Jr., 19. 

Schoonover said Burroughs and Frazier were arrested at the Tulsa welding school less than 48 hours after the shooting. 

The four met to make a marijuana deal about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Walmart at 8808 Beach Boulevard. At some point in the deal, Burroughs got out of the car and shot twice, Schoonover said. Phillips, who was not wounded, drove Bannister to a nearby gas station. From there, Bannister was transported to Shands Jacksonville and died. 

Schoonover said the robbery was planned. Marijuana taken in the shooting was found in Burroughs’ and Frazier’s apartment.

UPDATE (8/13/13):  A Facebook page was set up in honor of the victim, Blake, back in March.
.

Rifle stolen from Texas Walmart display case

Occurred February 26, 2013.

A man, Jose Johnson, age 22, walked into a Walmart in Alice, Texas, broke into a display case, stole a rifle, and fled the store, all within four minutes, and no one tried to stop him.

From an article:

Jose Johnson, 22, was arrested Tuesday for Theft of a Firearm after APD was able to identify the man using surveillance video from Wal-Mart, according to Chief Randy Weems.

A theft of firearm and criminal mischief were reported at 2:34 a.m. Tuesday at 2701 E. Main St. APD Criminal Investigators had Johnson arrested by 3:25 p.m. that afternoon.

Officer Jesse Garza, Sgt. Daniel Elizondo and CID Sgt. Matt Cooke responded to the location, at which someone had broken into a gun case.

According to the report, the Wal-Mart employee said a rifle was stolen from the gun case, located in the sporting goods section of the store. 

Officer Garza reported that the employee reported the theft occurred around 10:46 p.m. Monday night. The time was confirmed by security footage of the incident.

The report indicates that the suspect took about four minutes to access the case and leave the store. However the specific make and model number of the rifle was unknown.

Officer Garza reported that the employee would have to research inventory to find out what was stolen and report the serial number to the department.

According to the report, the suspect was wearing dark pants, a dark hooded jacket and a dark shirt. The suspect left the parking lot in a dark color four-door car. 

The lock that secured the rifles in the gun case, which was valued at $50, was damaged.

Yes, Walmart makes it that easy.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Gunman attempts to rob Walmart in Michigan

Occurred February 24, 2013.

A man walked into a Walmart in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and attempted to rob a cashier, using a gun, but the attempt failed and he fled.

From an article:

On February 24, 2013 at approximately 8:45pm officers responded to a robbery at the Walmart in the Station Mall. A lone male entered the store wearing a black balaclava.  

The male approached a cashier and requested the cashier to open the cash register. The suspect put a gun to the cashiers head but when the cash register could not be opened the culprit fled the scene.  

The suspect is described as 5 feet tall with a stocky build, wearing blue jeans and a black jacket. The investigation is continuing.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Conceal carry permit holder unintentionally shoots self at Ohio Walmart

Scene of shooting at Moraine Walmart

Occurred February 19, 2013.

A man with a conceal carry permit was trying to park and holster his weapon at the same time, in a Moraine, Ohio, Walmart parking lot when he unintentionally discharged the gun, hitting himself in the leg.

Walmart stores allow conceal carry of guns in their stores, as allowed by state regulations.

From an article:

It happened around 3:00 pm Tuesday in the Walmart parking lot on Dorothy Lane in Moraine. 

Police say the man, who has a concealed carry permit, was trying to holster his weapon when it went off. 

"It's very uncommon," said Moraine Police Sgt. Russ Imler, "This is the first time I've responded to an incident like this involving a CCW permit holder.  I believe that he was looking for a parking space and holstering his weapon, doing too many things at once.  

He was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be okay.

This may be the same Moraine Walmart where, in 2008, two men robbed and shot a woman in the parking lot.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.


UPDATE (2/20/13):  Some more details on the shooting, from another article:

The man, whose name and age were not released, told police he was moving his gun from the glox box in his truck to the gun’s holster when it discharged. He drove up to the store’s entrance closest to the pharmacy, went inside and asked for assistance. 

Medics were called to Walmart just after 3 p.m. on a report of someone who had been shot showing up at the big box store. 

His injury is not life threatening, Moraine Sgt. Russ Imler said. The man was taken to Kettering Medical Center.

.

Man caught with stolen gun in New York Walmart

Occurred February 18, 2013.

A man was caught shoplifting in a Walmart in Massapequa, New York.  Found on his person was a gun which had previously been reported stolen.

From an article:

Alexander Hollinsworth, of North Bellmore, is being held on $10,000 bond. 

He was picked up Saturday night at a Wal-Mart in Massapequa. 

Police say in addition to the stolen goods, he had a handgun that had been reported stolen in New York City.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Teen girl and a security guard injured in shooting at Memphis Walmart

Scene of shooting at Memphis Walmart Neighborhood Market

Occurred February 18, 2013.

A teen party was being held at the Zodiac restaurant and lounge, at night, across from a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Memphis, Tennessee, when around 300 of the teens were turned out of the club.  From an article:

“When we reached capacity, we had our courtesy officers to tell every child to leave our lot, call their rides or whatever they needed to do. We are just trying to give back to the community and we are giving them something to do,” said manager at Zodiac Restaurant and Lounge Anita Poplar.

Several dozen of those teens then went over the to Walmart store, where there were then reports of "looting and vandalizing" of the store by the teens.

Then shots were fired inside the Walmart store.  When police responded, they found a 16-year old girl shot in the leg, and a 21-year old security guard shot and injured.

A 16-year old boy was caught with a rifle, and another was arrested for disorderly conduct and evading arrest.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man with marital problems shoots himself to death in Texas Walmart

Scene of shooting at Conroe Walmart

Occurred February 9, 2013.

A 35-year old man walked into the pharmacy area at a Walmart in Conroe, Texas, sat on a bench, pulled out a semi-auto handgun, and shot himself in the chest in an apparent suicide.  He died at the scene.  

His wife, with whom he was having marital problems, worked at that pharmacy and was there at the time.

From an article:

Sgt. Jeff Smith arrived at the location within a minute, and found a 35-year-old male lying on the floor near the pharmacy department with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Smith performed CPR in an attempt to save the victim until paramedics arrived. 

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The victim’s wife, who is an employee at the Walmart pharmacy, was on scene and attempted to help her husband. 

Witness information revealed that the couple had been having marital problems.
The Walmart store was evacuated for the police investigation. There were no other injuries to store employees or patrons. 

Witnesses and surveillance cameras indicate that the man entered the pharmacy department and immediately sat down on a bench in the waiting area. 

Shortly thereafter, he removed a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and shot himself. Police said there wasn’t time for anyone to intervene before the victim shot himself.

The man was a father of three children.

(a related article and news video, and raw video of the scene)

UPDATE (2/11/13):  The victim is identified as Joseph Watson, who works as a prison guard in Huntsville.  The gun he used was a 9mm semi-auto pistol.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Neil deGrasse Tyson on Walmart

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Shot fired in parking lot of a New York Walmart hits car

Occurred January 22, 2013.

A shot was fired in the parking lot of a Walmart, in Batavia, New York.  

According to one report, the shooter was a white male, and the possible shooting victim was a black male.  Both left the scene.  It's unconfirmed if the target was wounded.

It was later discovered that the shot had hit a car, damaging the radiator, AC compressor, and transmission.

From an article:

State Police investigators have been looking into the incident ever since the report was filed on it that evening. 

Today, Investigator Andre Dunlap received a call after a local mechanic spotted a hole in the transmission of a car. 

That was an unexpected twist in the case that so far has not led to an arrest. 

Multiple law enforcement sources have said there may gang affiliations involved with the shooter and possible target and the shooting may be related to a prior incident months ago in the City of Batavia.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

An "obviously mentally ill" schizo man purchases rifles from Oklahoma Walmart and kills mother with them

Gerald Hume, schiozphrenic shooter and Walmart gun shopper

Back in November, 2012, a known schizophrenic man who hears voices and, according to the police, is "obviously mentally ill" was nonetheless able to purchase rifles from a Walmart in Moore, Oklahoma, and a handgun from another store, and then shot his mother.  He then dismembered her.

With an angelic face like that, who could possibly refuse a gun sale?

After an 11-hour standoff with police, he was arrested.  Police then removed numerous weapons from the home and found his mother's body parts, and a dead cat, in the freezer.

From the article:

Gerald Hume was taken into custody Nov. 14 after an 11-hour standoff with police at his mother's home in southeast Oklahoma City. Before that, police had been to the residence numerous times looking for Janet Kay Hume, the defendant's mother. 

Gerald Hume was described by a relative as “a known schizophrenic” who hears voices and requires treatment, police Detective David Jacobson reported in an affidavit for a search warrant. 

Janet Hume, who was 77, had been reported missing by relatives in the days leading up to the standoff. 

During the standoff, Gerald Hume admitted to a police negotiator that he had shot his mother in the chest, police Detective Ryan Porter reported in a court affidavit filed with the charge. 

Police removed numerous guns, rifles and ammunition from the home he shared his mother. Janet Hume's body was found in a bedroom after a tactical team entered the residence. 

Police also found a dead house cat and unspecified body parts that belonged to Janet Hume inside a freezer.

Despite being "obviously" mentally ill, he was still able to purchase his weapon from Walmart, in part because Oklahoma does not report mentally ill people to the NICS gun purchase background system.

Oklahoma City Police Capt. Dexter Nelson said the fact that Hume, 52, was able to get the guns — despite being “visibly” mentally ill — is a scary reality in Oklahoma and a majority of the states in the nation. 

Nelson said officers who've dealt with Hume described him as being “obviously” mentally ill. 

“From the officers who responded to the house, they said, ‘The man's visibly unstable.' … That's what they described him as,” he said Thursday. “Look at that picture on TV, or whatever. Does this man look like he should have a gun?” 

Nelson said Hume bought rifles Sept. 25 at the Walmart in Moore. He said Hume bought a Glock handgun the next day at Gun World. 

In Oklahoma, mental health records are not routinely sent to the federal database used to screen potential gun buyers, Nelson said. Most other states fall into the same category. 

“He lied on the application like everybody else does,” Nelson said. “With the state not reporting to that network, they're not going to find anything, even if he had been involuntarily committed. Because we're one of the states that doesn't normally report.”
A report released in late 2011 by the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns found that Oklahoma had sent just two mental health records to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which is commonly referred to as NICS. 

Most of the states in U.S. have reported fewer than 1,000 records. A handful of states, including Texas and California, are responsible for the bulk of the mental health records that have been shared since NICS was launched in the 1990s. 

“You can be just as crazy as the day is long, but if police haven't made contact with you to commit you … you're not going to be in that system,” Nelson said. “There's a lot of people out there taking medication that won't show up on a background check as … having a mental illness because police haven't contacted them, because of their mental illness.”

(a related blog posting)

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.