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

Friday, September 27, 2013

Woman shoots and kills man in Texas Walmart parking lot

Occurred September 26, 2013.
Scene of fatal shooting at League City Walmart
(source)


(UPDATED -- see below)

A woman was in an argument with a man, with whom she was in a relationship, in the parking lot of a Walmart store in League City, Texas.  She then pulled out a gun and shot him in his car, then she fled.

The victim died in the hospital.  She later turned herself in.

From an article:
Roshanda Latrice Howard, 41, has been charged with murder, according to the League City Police Department. 
It was around 10:15 p.m. Thursday when police responded to a shooting at the Walmart on FM-646 near the Gulf Freeway. They found a wounded man in a silver GMC sport utility vehicle. He was sent to the hospital by Life Flight where he later died, police said. 
The suspect had already left the scene, but police said she later turned herself in at the police station. 
According to police, Howard gave a statement and confessed to the shooting.
Police did not say what the motive for the crime was.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.


UPDATE (10/3/13):  According to an article, the victim is named Jacob Felts.

Shots fired in New Mexico Walmart parking lot

Occurred September 23, 2013.


Four men were involved in an argument in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  When two of the men drove away, the other two fired a dozen shots at them.  Luckily, no one was wounded.

Bizarrely, the men who were shot at decided not to press charges, and apparently the police dropped the case!

From an article:
Two men involved in an early-morning shooting say they're not interested in pressing charges against their attackers, according to the Carlsbad Police Department. The men were going into Walmart around 2 a.m. Monday when they got into an altercation with two other men outside the store, said Carlsbad Police Lt. Jennifer Moyers. The attackers fired rounds at the men as they drove away from the scene, Moyers said. No injuries were reported. 
Det. Blaine Rennie said approximately 12 rounds were fired. A witness to the shooting told police he saw the four men talking in one of the vehicles before the shooting occurred. 
The victims told police they don't want to press charges. No description of the attackers was provided, and Moyers said the department has completed its investigation.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Gunman robs two Walmart stores in Missouri

Occurred September 20, 2013.


A man walked into two different Walmart stores in Branson, Missouri, and pulled a handgun, robbing the stores of cigarettes and money.  He fled with the money, but was later captured.

From an article and news audio recording:
A man entered the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Branson Hills Parkway at about 3 a.m. this (Friday) morning and reportedly demanded cigarettes and cash.  Branson Assistant Police Chief Stan Dobbins says the man was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun. 
Dobbins says a second armed robbery was reported at the Wal-Mart on West Highway 76 shortly after 3 o’clock this afternoon.  He says the suspect matches the same description of the earlier robbery. 
There is an undetermined amount of money stolen.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Man chased around Illinois Walmart by gunman

Occurred January, 2013.


According to a lawsuit filed this week, a man and his girlfriend were harrassed by two people, in a Walmart in Waukegan, Illinois.  After the offenders were escorted out by security, though, the men came back, chased the man around the store with a gun, and severely beat him, while Walmart security did nothing to stop the attack.

From an article:
The suit alleges Jeremiah Rogers and his girlfriend – both African Americans – were at the Walmart in Waukegan in January, when two unidentified men–one who was white or Hispanic and the other black–began harassing them. 
David Lowery Jr., founder and CEO of the Living & Driving While Black Foundation, said security guards escorted the men out, but at least one of them came back and accosted the couple again, using a racial slur. 
Rogers was hit in the face with a wine bottle, then of of the men pulled out a gun, “and started to chase him around the store,” Lowery said.
“Meanwhile, Walmart security and management ran into their office, and locked the door, and left them out in the store, running, trying to save their lives,” he added. 
However, Walmart claimed a store security guard intervened right away. 
“Unfortunately, sometimes individual customers act inappropriately. When that happens and it turns violent, we involve police, who are trained to manage such situations. In this instance, an off-duty police officer was working security for us at the time and he responded immediately,” Walmart spokesman Dan Fogleman said in an email. “Our security cameras captured the incident and we have provided the video to police to help identify, and hopefully convict, those responsible for Mr. Rogers’ injuries.” 
Rogers’ nose was broken, and he lost several teeth, according to Lowery. 
The assailants ran away. The lawsuit claims Walmart failed in its obligation to provide a safe environment for its customers.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man fires shots in parking lot of a Florida Walmart

Occurred September 15, 2013.
Scene of shooting at Orange County Walmart (source)



A man fired several shots in the air in the parking lot of a busy Walmart store, in Orange County, Florida.

The man claimed that he thought someone was stealing his bicycle.

The Walmart store never closed.

From an article:
Authorities received reports of a man firing a gun in the parking lot of the store at Sand Lake Road and John Young Parkway around 10 a.m. The incident happened in broad daylight while the store and parking lot were busy with customers. 
"It was horrible, everybody was scared. All I could think of was like Sandy Hook and Columbine and all that," witness Alexis Ross said. 
Witnesses told investigators the man fired at least two shots not far from one of the entrances to the Walmart. No one was injured in the shooting, deputies said. 
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Rodney Summers, was quickly taken into custody at the scene, according to investigators. Summers told detectives he fired shots because he thought someone was stealing his bicycle.
(additional news video)

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man robbed at gunpoint at Georgia Walmart

Occurred September 11, 2013.


Two men robbed a man at gunpoint at a Walmart in Marietta, Georgia.

From an article:
On Sept. 6, at around 1:45 a.m. two men approached the victim in the parking lot of the Walmart.  One perpetrator produced a handgun and robbed the victim.   
Both perpetrators fled on foot. 
The two men shown in the attached photos are being sought as persons of interest. Both subjects are described as black males in their early- to mid- twenties.  
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Armed robbery by two gunmen in New York Walmart

Occurred August 20, 2013.


Two men attempted a robbery, using guns, of a Walmart in New Hartford, New York.

From an article:
Marvin DeJesus, 22, of Utica, was arrested on Tuesday for charges of first-degree and second-degree attempted robbery, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon, New Hartford police Investigator Matthew Sica said. 
The first suspect, Efrain Diaz, 23, of Utica, was arrested the same day as the reported robbery. 
According to police, DeJesus and Diaz allegedly entered Walmart around 3 a.m., displayed a handgun and demanded money. 
Eventually both men fled the store without getting any money, police said, and it is believed that they fled into the woods to avoid capture.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Two people dead from murder/suicide in Ohio Walmart parking lot

Occurred September 8, 2013.


After gunshots were reported, two people were found dead in a car in the parking lot of a Walmart in Salem, Ohio.

From an article:
According to the Salem Police Department Facebook page, two people were found dead in the Walmart parking lot. At Approximately 2:40 a.m. Salem police received a 911 call of reported shots fired at the Walmart, 2875 E. State St. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased female and male in the southeast parking lot of the store. A Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun was also located near the male. Several witnesses have been interviewed and store security video is being analyzed. 
According to another article, it was a murder/suicide, where the shooter killed his former girlfriend and then himself.

The female victim, Sylvia Maillis, 37, was an overnight support manager at the Walmart.  Her ex-boyfriend who did the shooting, Charles Kropinak, 36, had a conceal carry license.  From another article:


[Maillis and friends] returned to the employee parking lot next to the market side of the store and were inside her car when her ex-boyfriend, 36-year-old Charles Kropinak, of Campbell, pulled up a couple of spaces down and exited his vehicle. 
She exited her vehicle and the two argued, then Kropinak pulled out a 9mm Ruger semi-automatic handgun and shot Maillis multiple times before shooting himself. 
They were both dead at the scene, with the handgun found near Kropinak. Police received the first 911 call at 2:40 a.m. from a caller at Walmart who said somebody had been shot.
...
She had a 9-year-old daughter and had worked for Walmart since 2005. According to Davis, she had a Canfield address but lived on Washingtonville Road. 
He couldn't confirm whether she had a protection order against Kropinak or not, saying he couldn't find a record of one and if she had one previously, it must have expired. He confirmed that Kropinak did hold a conceal carry permit. A protection order prohibits the person the order is against from having a firearm.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Drug-related shooting in Mississippi Walmart Parking Lot

Occurred September 5, 2013.


A shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Walmart in Meridian, Mississippi, between gang members, over a drug deal.  One man was wounded and taken to the hospital.

A relative of the victim spoke out, and brought information to the local police, but the police have refused to use the information to investigate, according to him.

From an article and news video:
The day of the shooting, he called the detective with information. He said the detective called him back the first time, but when he tried to continue to contact police as he acquired more detailed and accurate information, but the process became frustrating. 
"I tried to call the police department and talk to a detective. It's an automated system, and if you don't hit the right button, it'll hang up on you," he said. "I got upset and went to the police department." 
After a long wait, he said he was only able to speak to someone after saying a few choice words and getting up to leave. The next time he had more information on the shooter, his calls were never returned. He said to his knowledge, nothing has been done with the information he provided. 
"The only thing I didn't do was bring the gentleman down to the police department in my vehicle," said the relative. 
His relative says the victim was involved in gang-related activity, and the shooting occurred over a drug deal in the Highway 19 Walmart parking lot. He's concerned the police department is not giving the case much priority since it's a gang related crime, but he's worried if they don't future retaliation could hurt some other innocent bystander.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Gunman robs filling station at Louisiana Walmart

Occurred September 6, 2013.


A man entered the kiosk at a gas station, located in a Walmart parking lot in Shreveport, Louisiana.  He pulled out a gun and stole money from the register before fleeing.

From an article:
It happened at the Murphy Oil filling station at the Walmart in the 6200 block of Westport Avenue around 9 p.m. on August 26. 
Police describe the suspect as a black male, about 6' tall, wearing a wearing a reddish/orange long sleeve shirt, tan hat, dark pants. 
Surveillance video shows the man walk up as the clerk was returning to the kiosk from an outside errand.  
Police say the suspect entered the kiosk with the employee, pulled out a semi-auto handgun and demanded the money from the register. With two clerks working on the inside, the suspect was only able to get money from one register. After getting the money, the suspect fled out the side door last seen heading towards the Fairfield Inn possibly getting into a silver Dodge Durango.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Walmart hypocritically helps with gun turn-in by offering gift cards that can be used to buy guns

Back in early August, a Walmart store offered a grant of gift cards to the local police force, in Sumter, South Carolina.

Gun buy-back programs remove thousands of guns from homes each year that are in dangerously bad working order or are from homes where they are likely to be misused or stolen and are unneeded, keeping the guns out of the hands of children or criminals.

From an article:
"We've been considering doing this for quite some time, but we wanted to be able to provide something of value for the guns," said Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark. 
Officers found their incentive in the form of a pre-loaded gift card. The police department received a grant from Walmart and redeemed it for gift cards in several different amounts, which will be handed out in exchange for different types of weapons. 
Someone turning in a handgun will receive a $50 Walmart gift card. A long gun can be traded in for a $25 Walmart gift card, and an assault weapon will get you a gift card worth $100 (while supplies last).

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2013/08/04/2899569/sumter-police-department-offers.html#storylink=cpy
The gun turn-in was held at local churches.

Guns for sale at Sumter Walmart (source)
This is a generous and unexpected offer from Walmart, who is the world's leading retail seller for guns.

Unfortunately, there's nothing to stop those who drop off their guns for gift cards then turning around, entering the Walmart store, and using them to purchase more guns and ammo.  So it's basically an empty gesture to make Walmart look good despite their heavily-tarnished image for gun crimes.

Thanks anyway, Walmart.

It should be pointed out that there have been seven gun crimes and shootings at Walmart stores in South Carolina since fall of 2012.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Conceal carry permit holder arrested for failing to show permit to officer at Iowa Walmart

Occurred August 28, 2013.


An officer in uniform, working as off-duty security at a Des Moines, Iowa, Walmart store, saw 23-year old Dennis Scott Estell with a handgun in a holster.  The officer asked for Estell to show his permit, as provided by Iowa law, but Estell repeatedly refused.  The officer then arrested Estell, who was charged with a misdemeanor and had his gun confiscated.

From an article:
A Des Moines police officer working off-duty, but in full uniform, saw Dennis Scott Estell, 23, walk into the store with a handgun in a holster on his belt, police reports show. 
The officer asked Estell if he had a permit for the weapon and Estell said he did, officials said.
But when the officer asked to see the permit, Estell reportedly refused, saying, “No, it’s my right to carry this and I don’t have to show you my permit.” 
Iowa law requires anyone carrying a revolver or pistol to carry a permit and produce it at the request of a police officer. Failing to produce the permit is a simple misdemeanor. 
Estell refused the officer’s second request to see the permit and the officer placed him under arrest and confiscated the gun. 
Estell was charged with carrying weapons and interference with official acts. He remains in the Polk County Jail on a $2,300 bond.
According to another article:
The officer took Estell into custody and seized the gun, which had a round in the chamber and a loaded magazine. ... 
The police report shows Estell does have a permit to carry, issued out of Madison County. 
According to Iowa Code 724.5, “A person armed with a revolver, pistol, or pocket billy concealed upon the person shall have in the person’s immediate possession the permit provided for in section 724.4, subsection 4, paragraph “i”, and shall produce the permit for inspection at the request of a peace officer.  Failure to so produce a permit is a simple misdemeanor.”

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man shot and wounded in Missouri Walmart parking lot

Occurred August 31, 2013.


A fight in a Walmart parking lot in Kirksville, Missouri, turned violent when one man, Brandon Sizemore, 22, pulled out a gun and shot another man in the stomach and hand.

Sizemore was arrested, and the victim is now in stable condition.

From an article and news video:
Brandon Sizemore, 22, of Kirksville faces first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
Police say he's the man allegedly responsible for the shooting that happened in the Kirksville Wal-Mart parking lot early Saturday morning, leaving Andrew Clark seriously injured. 
Just before 2:30 Saturday morning, police responded to the shooting where officers located Clark suffering with gunshot wounds to his hand and stomach. Clark was transported to Northeast Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. We called Northeast Regional Medical Center Sunday, and Clark's condition is now stable. 
We're told all this started with a fight and ended with the firing of gunshots 
Several hours later, Kirksville police arrested Sizemore in connection with Saturday's shooting. 
He's in the Adair County Jail on a $150,000 cash only bond.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Shoplifter shot by police at Tennessee Walmart store

Occurred August 30, 2013.
Scene of shooting at Bartlett Walmart (source)


(UPDATED -- see below)

Police responded to a report of shoplifting at a Walmart store in Bartlett, Tennessee.  When they arrived, the officer confronted the shoplifters, who then hit him with their car, injuring the officer's knee.  The officer then fired at the driver, hitting him in the arm.  The driver then ran into the Walmart store yelling that he'd been shot, leading to a lockdown of the store.

The driver and two other men who were in the car have been arrested.

From an article and news video:
Just before 3 p.m. Friday, the officer was taking an accident report near the Walmart on Highway 64, when he learned that a shoplifter had just left the Walmart. 
The shoplifter got into the vehicle. When the officer tried to stop it, the vehicle struck and injured him. 
The officer then shot at the vehicle, hitting one man in the arm. 
That man then got out of the vehicle and stumbled into the Walmart, saying, “I’ve been shot! I’ve been shot!” 
The building was locked down for a short time. 
Three people are in custody. 
Numerous police officers and other emergency response crews are still at the scene. 
The officer involved suffered a knee injury and was treated at the hospital. He was released later in the day. 
The suspect shot by the officer is stable and at the MED.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

UPDATE (9/15/13):  The officer has been cleared for the shooting.

Robbery by gunman at Texas Walmart

Occurred August 29, 2013.


A man robbed a shopper at gunpoint at a Walmart in Odessa, Texas.  He got away, but luckily no one was injured.

From an article:
According to a report from the Odessa Police Department, officers went to Wal-Mart, 4210 N. JBS Pakway, around 10 a.m. Thursday about an armed robbery. 
The report stated the victim reported to officers that a Hispanic man around six feet tall and 150 pounds wearing a white shirt and dark jeans threatened her at gunpoint and forced her to give him undetermined property. 
The suspect left the scene before officers arrived.

Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man steals camera in Virginia Walmart after threatening to shoot clerk

Occurred August 28, 2013.
Suspect from armed robbery at Suffolk Walmart
(source)



A man went into a Walmart in Suffolk, Virginia, and picked up a camera.  As the clerk went to ring up the item, the man threatened to pull out a gun and then stole the camera.

An article with pictures of the suspect.

From another article:
About 3:30 a.m., a man went to the store in the 6200 block of College Drive and asked to look at a camera in a display case. Then, the man selected a camera he wanted, according to a police news release. 
As the clerk began to ring up the camera, the man said he had a firearm and wasn’t going to pay for it. After the encounter, the man ran out of the store.
Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.

Man kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint at Florida Walmart and Sam's Club

Occurred August 26, 2013.
Scene of kidnapping at gunpoint at Bradenton Walmart
(screenpic from video from here)



A shopper who exited a Walmart store in Bradenton, Florida, was kidnapped by gunmen with assault rifles in the parking lot.  They robbed him of his car, drove him to a neighboring Sam's Club store, stripped him down to his underwear, then dumped him several miles away.

The victim is okay, except for a slight head wound from being hit, but wasn't shot.

From an article and news video:

Deputies say it happened around 11:30 last night as the victim, Marcelo Fierro, 24 of Wimauma, walked out of the Wal-Mart after shopping.  The victim says a Hispanic woman, wearing a blonde wig, pulled up in a dark colored Expedition with Texas tags asking the man for directions.  When he walked up to the car, the victim says two Hispanic men with assault rifles accosted him, stole his keys and his car, and shoved him into the Expedition.  
They then drove to the back of a Sam's Club across the street from Walmart and made the man strip to his underwear.  According to the incident report, the suspects forced the man back into the car and drove about four to five miles to the 3900 block of 26th Avenue East.    
That's when the victim says he flagged down someone driving by and called 911.  
The victim had a small knot on his head according to the incident report, seemingly from the altercation, but did not go to the hospital. 
The suspects are also suspects in an earlier robbery.

Another Walmart Shooting had occurred at a Bradenton Walmart store (the same one?) in November, 2012, involving a law enforcement shooting of a drug suspect trying to run him over.


Walmart.  Save money.  Die faster.