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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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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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.

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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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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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.

.

South Dakota woman kidnapped at gunpoint and forced to drive to Walmart store

Occurred November 8, 2013.


A man broke into a woman's home in Rapid City, South Dakota, and forced at gunpoint to drive him to the local Walmart store with the apparent intention of making her get money for him.  Once at the Walmart parking lot, she escaped and sought help.  The man fled.

From an article:

The woman discovered the stranger in her Van Buren Street home about 5:30 p.m., according to police spokeswoman Tarah Heupel. The man walked out of the bedroom with a gun and made her take him to Walmart. 

At Walmart, the woman fled into the store and sought help from employees who called police.
The suspect ran from the scene. 

During a follow-up investigation at the woman's house, police discovered a laptop taken from a nearby home about 2:30 p.m.  

In that instance, the resident discovered his back door was kicked in and confronted the suspect, whom he chased out of the house before calling police.

This is apparently the same Walmart where there was a fatal stabbing in 2012.

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Louisiana man robbed and kidnapped at gunpoint in Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 8, 2013.


A man gave a ride to a homeless man, Edward "EJ" Belcher, 37, to the local Walmart in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Once at the Walmart store, though, Belcher pulled out a handgun and robbed the victim of his money and debit card, kidnapped him, then went on a spending spree with the victim's debit card before finally returning the victim unharmed.

Belcher was later arrested.

From an article:

Later that morning, the victim decided to go to a nearby Wal-Mart and for unknown reasons, Belcher accompanied him, the warrant says. 

On the way to the store, the victim stopped to withdraw $60 from an ATM. When the pair arrived at the Wal-Mart in the victim’s vehicle, Belcher pulled out a revolver and demanded the victim’s money, the warrant says. 

The man gave Belcher $112, to which Belcher replied, “This is all you got?” according to the warrant. 

The man, whose age was not available Thursday night, handed over his wallet, to which Belcher said, “What’s on your debit card?” The man begged Belcher not to take all his money, saying he had children to support, according to his account in the warrant. 

The victim told authorities Belcher then pressed the gun against his head and demanded the PIN to the debit card. Belcher then ordered the victim to drive to a house on Florida Boulevard, where Belcher led him out of the vehicle at gunpoint and into the house. 

There, the victim was told to sit on the couch and be quiet, the warrant says. Belcher then told someone in the house to watch over the victim while Belcher left and racked up nearly $500 on the man’s debit card. 

The warrant doesn’t go into detail about what happened at the house while Belcher was gone, and a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office couldn’t be reached late Thursday. 

Belcher returned later that morning to pick up the victim and take him back to the Super 8, the warrant says, where Belcher dropped off the victim and said he’d drive the victim’s vehicle to a parking lot behind the Olive Garden on Siegen Lane and leave it there. 

The victim exited the vehicle and ran into the motel, then to the parking lot behind Olive Garden, where he found his car. When he returned back to the motel, he found deputies speaking with his wife, who had reported him missing earlier that morning.

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Gun-wielding vigilantes hold shoplifters at bay at Georgia Walmart

Occurred November 8, 2013.


Two drunk men shoplifted meat from a Walmart store in Thomasville, Georgia.  

Two citizens confronted the men in the parking lot, and when they tried to flee, the citizens rammed their car, then held the men at gunpoint until police arrived.  The citizens had conceal carry licenses.

From an article:

Robert Thurman, 38, and Larry King, 27, have been charged with felony shoplifting. 

Police said the suspects tried to escape by car Thursday night, but two citizens in the parking lot used their own vehicles to corral the men. The suspects tried to drive off, but the citizens rammed their vehicle, disabling it. 

Then, the suspects got out of the car, and the citizens held them at gunpoint until the police could arrest them, police said. No one was injured. 

Both citizens were armed with licensed weapons, said Wade Glover, a commander with the Thomasville Police Department. 

Glover said the suspects were intoxicated.

Thomasville is also the scene of a shooting and attempted homicide at a Walmart store in April, 2012.

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Armed suspects rob Pennsylvania Walmart

Occurred November 8, 2013.

Scene of armed robbery at Boothwyn Walmart (source)

(UPDATED -- see below)

Three men, armed with a shotgun, held up employees at a Walmart store in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania.  They fled with cash, but were quickly caught by police.

Luckily no shots were fired.

From an article:

Police say the masked gunmen held up the Walmart in the Larkins Corner Shopping Center in Boothwyn around closing time. 

They got away with a large amount of cash, but they didn't get very far. 

Police caught up with the suspects after Walmart security gave them a detailed description of the three men and the getaway vehicle. 

Upper Chichester Police caught up with them near Township Line Road and Carter Avenue in Chester Township. 

A shotgun and the cash were found in the car. 

All three suspects were taken into custody.

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UPDATE (11/12/13):  The three suspects have been named and charged.  One was a former employee of the Walmart store.  More details from an article:

Employees and customers were shaken, but not injured during the robbery, which took place at 11:15 p.m., about 45 minutes before closing. Two employees had begun collecting cash and checks from the registers at the front of the store when two men — their faces and heads covered — entered through the exit door, according to the affidavit of probable cause written by Detective John Montgomery. 

The two men, later identified as Parker and Cottman-Jordan, allegedly accosted the two employees who had placed some $29,000 in cash and $50,000 in checks into a locked box in a shopping cart. The suspect ordered the employees to let go of the shopping cart, but the employees refused. Cottman-Jordan, who was wearing a red hoodie, then allegedly pulled out a black rifle and pointed it at the employees, again ordering them to let go of the cart. 

Fearing for their lives, the employees complied. Parker and Cottman-Jordan fled with the cart containing the cash and checks, according to the court document. 

Witnesses told police the two suspects pushed the cart to an occupied gray or silver Dodge, which was waiting outside of the store. The two tossed the contents of the cart into the trunk, jumped into the car and sped away, according to police. Witnesses said the trunk of the Dodge was still open when the car drove away. 

Information about the getaway car was broadcast over police radio. 

Several minutes later, Trainer Police Officer Matthew McCusker spotted a silver Dodge Avenger leaving the Conchester Highway at Township Line Road at a high rate of speed, its trunk still open. McCusker radioed for backup, then stopped the vehicle at Carter Road with assistance from officers from Trainer, Lower Chichester and Marcus Hook. 

When police approached the car, several blue deposit bags reportedly were seen in the open trunk, the affidavit states. 

Loper, the driver of the car, was identified as a former Wal-Mart employee, police said. He, Parker and Cottman-Jordan were ordered out of the car. The two store employees were driven to the scene and identified the getaway car and Parker and Cottman-Jordan as the men who robbed them at gunpoint, police said. 

The three suspects were transported to police headquarters, where 15 bags of heroin allegedly were found in Cottman-Jordan’s possession, according to the affidavit. 

Investigators located a black Mossberg .22-caliber rifle in front of the Wal-Mart near a bench, according to the court document. The serial number of the rifle had been altered, the affidavit states.

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Robbers threaten employee with gun at Texas Walmart

Occurred November 7, 2013.

(UPDATED -- see below)

Two men were in the process of robbing merchandise from a Walmart store in Lubbock, Texas, when an employee confronted them.  One of the men pulled a handgun and threatened the employee with it, then they fled.

They were later captured and arrested when they were apparently planning to rob another Walmart store.

From an article:

Officers responded to a robbery about 9 a.m. at the Wal-Mart at 702 W. Loop 289, according to LPD Sgt. Jason Lewis. 

He said Willingham and Leyva stole various items, including electronics and food, from the store. He said the two attempted to steal a 50-inch television when a Wal-Mart employee confronted them outside the store. 

One of the men pulled a gun on the employee and the two fled southbound in a stolen Chevrolet Camaro, Lewis said. 

Patrol officers found the Camaro at the Marsha Sharp Wal-Mart and arrested one of the men at the parking lot and cornered the other inside the store. 

Lewis said investigators believe the men were planning to rob the store. 

He said police found the stolen property in the Camaro.

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UPDATE (11/12/13):  Two suspects are in custody for the robbery:  Arthur Willingham, 34, and James Leyva, 32.

UPDATE (12/4/13):  The same two suspects have been indicted.

Man wounded when gun unintentionally fires inside California Sam's Club

Occurred October 20, 2013.


A man and woman were inside a Sam's Club store in Glendora, California, when they passed a bag between each other that contained a loaded handgun.  The bag was dropped, causing the gun to discharge and wound the man in the arm.

From an article:

Robert Duncan, 48, and Helen Duncan were booked on suspicion of negligently discharging a firearm, Glendora police Sgt. Michael Henderson said. There city of residence was not immediately available. 

The incident took place shortly before 1:30 p.m. just inside the entrance of the store, 1501 S. Lone Hill Ave., he said. 

The man and woman were passing a bag between them which contained the gun, Henderson said. They dropped the bag, causing the gun inside to fire. 

Henderson said Robert Duncan was struck in the forearm by the bullet. No one else was injured. 

Officers found the man and women at San Dimas Community Hospital. He was treated for his injury and released from the hospital the same day. 

In addition to negligently discharging a gun, the husband was also expected to face a charge of illegal weapon possession, Henderson said.

According to another article:

Helen Marie Duncan, 50, was allegedly carrying a handgun inside her fanny pack when she dropped the pack and the gun discharged.

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Woman threatens employees with BB gun at Missouri Walmart

Occurred November 3, 2013.


A woman was caught shoplifting at a Walmart store in Joplin, Missouri.  When store security confronted her just after leaving the store, she pulled out a handgun and threatened the security officer with it.  She dropped the gun when police arrived, and was arrested.

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

From an article:

A 27-year-old Joplin woman was charged with armed robbery after she allegedly pointed a BB gun at a security worker at a Wal-Mart store in Joplin when he tried to stop her Sunday afternoon on suspicion of shoplifting. 

Vanessa A. Tawwater was arrested about 2:15 p.m. north of the Wal-Mart store at 2623 W. Seventh St. 

Police Lt. Matt Stewart said a Wal-Mart employee followed Tawwater out of the store and caught up with her on a nearby property where she pulled a gun on him. 

The employee told an officer who arrived on the scene that she was in possession of a gun, and she threw it on the ground and was arrested, Stewart said. 

Tawwater allegedly had left the store with $115.61 worth of merchandise without paying for it.

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Man steals items from California Walmart and threatens employees with realistic pellet gun

Occurred November 1, 2013.


A man stole some items from a Walmart store in Red Bluff, California.  When he was confronted by store employees, he threatened them with a handgun and fled.

He and a female accomplice were later arrested with the stolen items in their car, along with drug paraphenalia, and the handgun, which turned out to be a realistic-looking pellet gun.

From an article:

Around 8:48 a.m. Red Bluff Police officers were called to Walmart for a reported theft in progress, according to a department press release.  

Upon arrival officers located the suspect's vehicle leaving the area behind Big 5 Sporting Goods.  

Officers conducted a high risk stop of the vehicle with the assistance of K-9 unit Many and detained Aaron William Ashby and Ana Renee Spangle.  

The investigation revealed that Ashby had stolen items from Walmart.  

When he was confronted by a store employee, Ashby displayed a firearm arm, later determined to be a pellet gun.  

Ashby fled the area to a vehicle, being driven by Spangle, waiting for him behind Big 5 Sporting Goods.  

Officers located the stolen Walmart property inside the vehicle as well as a glass methamphetamine pipe on Spangle. 

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Woman shoots at car in Alaska Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 1, 2013.

(UPDATED -- See below)

Ashley Nelund, 27, shot at an occupied vehicle in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Kenai, Alaska.  Both she and the vehicle occupants fled the scene.  Nelund was later arrested.

Luckily, no one was apparently injured.

From an article:

Ashley Nelund, 27, was arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault and second-degree misconduct involving weapons after she allegedly fired multiple gunshots at an occupied vehicle in the Walmart parking lot in Kenai. 

According to a Kenai police press release, multiple 911 calls reporting the shooting were received at about 7:10 p.m. The suspect was reported to have left the area in a red Ford Focus. Officers located the vehicle a short time later at a Kenai residence. Nelund was found outside of the residence. 

According to police, the vehicle that was shot at also left the scene before police arrived. The vehicle and driver have not been located, however, police have contacted a 17-year-old male who was a passenger in the vehicle. 

No injuries from the shooting have been reported.

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UPDATE (4/21/14):  The shooter, Nelund, has been indicted.  There were two occupants in the vehicel that she shot at, shooting three times and hitting the bumper of the car "to scare" the occupants.  The shooting was over money that Nelund felt she was owed.  She has also been charged for drug charges.  From an article:

At the scene, police spoke to a passenger inside the vehicle being shot at, a 17-year-old juvenile. He told police the altercation started when Nelund approached him and the person he was with about owing her money. The juvenile told police as they started to drive away, Nelund opened fire on the vehicle, according to the affidavit. 

Police located three shell casings from .380 auto pistol in the parking lot in the direction people reported seeing the woman matching Nelund’s description fire her gun, according to the report. 

Law enforcement found Nelund possessed the keys to the red Ford and they found a .380 auto pistol on the grass near the edge of the woods where she appeared. A Kenai Police records search indicated Nelund as the owner of the gun. 

Nelund admitted to police that she fired three shots at the bumper of the vehicle with the intention of scaring the occupants. 

The driver of the vehicle was never located.

UPDATE (8/16/14):  The shooter, Nelund, has pleaded guilty for the shooting.  From an article:

Ashley Nelund, 28, of Sterling, pleaded guilty to misconduct involving weapons in the second-degree, assault in the fourth-degree and attempted misconduct involving a controlled substance in the second-degree. Superior Court Judge Charles Huguelet accepted the guilty plea. Sentencing will take place Nov. 25 at 3:30 p.m.

Each Class B Felony carries with it a maximum of 10 years in jail and a $100,000 fine, Huguelet said. The maximum jail time for the assault charge is one year.

Nelund’s defense attorney Dina Cale said in court an agreement was reached with the District Attorney’s office to reduce two counts of assault in the third-degree, a Class C Felony, to fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

The first two charges stem from an incident on Nov. 1, 2013 after Kenai Police allege she fired multiple shots at an occupied vehicle in the Walmart parking lot.

UPDATE (11/27/14):  Nelund was sentenced to seven years in jail.  Since being arrested, Nelund has given birth to a baby and was pregnant during the shooting.  From the article:

During his argument for the state’s sentencing recommendation, which Judge Charles Huguelet ultimately adopted, Leaders focused on the severity of Nelund’s crime. He said the community needed to use Nelund as an example to others who might be capable of similar violence.

“This is not New York City, this is not L.A., this is not even Anchorage. We don’t have this type of random violence in the Walmart parking lot … this is a very serious incident for the community, the Kenai Peninsula area,” Leaders said. “It warrants a strong sentence.”

Cale framed the situation differently. She said Nelund, who was pregnant during both the drug deal and the shooting, was suffering from mental illness and had gone off of her medications upon becoming pregnant.

During the drug deal, Cale said Nelund had been trading the heroin for suboxone, a detox medication that is used to treat opiate addiction.

“She was self-medicating with what she thought was a better option than heroin,” Cale said.

 
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Tennessee woman shoots at cars in Walmart parking lot then killed by police

Occurred November 3, 2013.


Nattela Ruth Blackwell, 64, was walking around the busy parking lot of a Walmart store in Covington, Tennessee, randomly shooting at vehicles, as well as running around on the local highway trying to get hit.  Police showed up, and when Blackwell wouldn't put down her weapon, they fired at her and killed her.

From an article:

Investigators said early this morning, Nattela Ruth Blackwell, 64, was walking around the around the parking lot of a Covington Wal-Mart randomly shooting at vehicles. Blackwell even shot at an 18-wheeler nearby. 

Sheriff J.T. Chumley continued to describe how, after confronting her, she did not put her gun down. 

"They were shooting in the area and the person who approached the officers wouldn't put the gun down. Officers had to shoot the suspect," stated Chumley. 

Video showed Blackwell holding the handgun in her right hand, at her side. Just before the officers and deputies fired, she turned around and raised her arms. However, the gun was still in her hand. 

Officials said the woman died at Baptist Memorial Hospital.  .... 

"This was justifiable for the simple fact that she was dangerous to society. She was out here on Highway 51 chasing cars, trying to get cars to hit her, and then they wouldn't hit her. Then she turns around and starts shooting," said Garnsey.

The article didn't suggest why Blackwell was shooting.  Possible suicide-by-cop?

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Shoplifter threatens Walmart employees with gun in Washington

Occurred October 31, 2013.


A man was caught trying to leave a Walmart store in Tumwater, Washington, with a shopping cart full of merchandise.  When confronted by store employees, the man threatened them with a handgun, then fled with the items. Luckily, no one was harmed.

From an article:

The suspect, described as a white male, in his late 20s or early 30s, tried to leave the front exit of the store with a shopping cart full of items about 7:30 p.m., Tumwater Police Detective Jen Kolb said. 

A store security guard and an assistant manager both confronted the suspect at the exit, but the man pushed them out of his way and then produced a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at them, Kolb said. 

The suspect then left the store and got in a waiting getaway car that sped north on Littlerock Road, Kolb said. 

No one was hurt during the incident, Kolb said.

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/11/01/2804961/few-details-on-reported-armed.html#storylink=cpy

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ADDENDUM (11/15/13):  A related article has video of the confrontation:

Tumwater police said store surveillance video shows 30-year-old Jordan Yocum loading a cart with items at the Tumwater Walmart and heading straight for the door. "He bypasses the checkstand and doesn't even attempt to pay for his purchase," said Tumwater Detective Jen Kolb. 

The video continues and you can see Yocum leaving with his stolen merchandise before he is confronted by a store security officer. The two men fight as the store manager comes running at full speed to help. It's at this point Yocum pulls a gun from his waistband and points it at employees with customers nearby. Kolb said store employees wisely gave up the fight. "It was a very dangerous situation.

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Man robbed at gunpoint in North Carolina Walmart parking lot during false Craigslist meetup

Occurred September 18, 2013.


Tevon Andre Allison, 19, lured a man to a Walmart parking lot in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina, under the pretense of selling his motorcycle.  He then robbed the man at gunpoint.

Luckily, no shots were fired and Allison was caught.  He was charged on October 24, 2013.

From an article:

Tevon Andre Allison, 19, was charged with armed robbery, grand larceny and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and was booked into the Georgetown County Detention Center at 10:13 p.m. Oct. 24, according to jail records. Allison is being held on $45,000 bond. 

Agents with the FBI violent crime taskforce in Gastonia, N.C., arrested Allison Oct. 18 and brought him to the Georgetown County Detention Center after he waived extradition, according to authorities. Georgetown police filed the charges after a man was robbed Sept. 18 after he met Allison and another person in reference to the victim’s advertisement on Craigslist. 

The victim posted an ad that listed his motorcycle was for sale and had met Allison and the other suspect in the parking lot of Wal-Mart to discuss the sale.

Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/11/01/3808514/nc-man-charged-in-craiglist-armed.html#storylink=cpy

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Shooting in Walmart parking lot in California

Occurred October 22, 2013.


A car-to-car shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Victorville, California.  Three suspects are at large.  Luckily, no reports of injuries.

From an article, which has security camera images of the suspects as they exited the store:

San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies received a report of shots heard at the Walmart at 11896 Amargosa Road at 9:48 p.m. Oct. 22. 

Deputies discovered that a passenger in a beige four-door sedan exchanged gunfire with the driver of a black four-door sedan in the store’s parking lot. 

It is unknown if anyone was struck by gunfire.

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Shot fired from Texas Walmart parking lot hits a home

Occurred October 22, 2013.


Shots were fired between two vehicles in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Paris, Texas.  One of those shots hit a neighboring home and lodged in a wall just a few feet from the home's occupant.  Luckily, no one was reported injured.

From an article:

Police found a large caliber bullet hole in the side of the home and the bullet, inside, just a few feet away from where a resident had been lying down. 

Officers say the bullet came from the Walmart parking lot. 

Surveillance video from the store shows shots were exchanged between two vehicles.
No injuries were reported.

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Felon caught in possession of realistic BB gun in Connecticut Walmart

Occurred November 5, 2013.


A man was acting suspiciously and loitering, asking questions about store security, at a Walmart in Bristol, Connecticut.  The store called police, and it turned out the man was a felon, had a BB gun in his possession, and got combative with police.  He had no carry permit.

From an article:

The management told police that a man, later identified as Anthony Perez, 21, was frequenting the store most of the day and asked if the store had an alarm and metal detector system. He also told an employee he was carrying a firearm in his waistband. 

When police located Perez in the food court, it was discovered he was carrying a BB gun. When he was told he was going to be arrested for carrying it without a permit, Perez got combative with police.

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Three teen shoplifters rob California Walmart at gunpoint

Occurred November 1, 2013.


Three teens, a girl and two boys, were caught shoplifting by store security.  When confronted, one boy pulled out a handgun and threatened the employees.  The teens then beat the employees and fled.  All three were later captured.

From an article:

The three suspects were confronted by Walmart security for shoplifting, but they refused to comply and “began physically resisting,” Devinny continued.  

“One of the male suspects pulled out a black handgun and brandished it. One Walmart security officer was hit over the head and another officer was punched," he reported. 

The three suspects then fled the scene in a tan sports utility vehicle, the sergeant continued.
A few minutes later that SUV was spotted in a restaurant parking lot at Dinah Shore and George Montgomery Way in Rancho Mirage. 

“Two of the three suspects were located and detained; the third was located hiding in the bathroom of another restaurant nearby. The three were positively identified by witnesses and arrested,” Devinny reported. 

“One of the suspects admitted he had a gun but stated it was a BB gun and he threw it out the window after leaving Walmart. An extensive search for the gun was conducted but it was never located,” according to Devinny’s report. 

The suspects were identified as a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old female from Desert Hot Springs, along with a 17-year-old male from Palm Springs, the sergeant reported.

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Gunman and accomplices steal thousands of dollars of gift cards at South Carolina Walmart

Occurred November 3, 2013.


A cashier refused to take part in a scam to steal gift cards from a Walmart in Spartanburg, South Carolina, so the instigators of the scam instead pulled a gun on her and forced her, at gunpoint, along with a number of accomplices, to ring up $8500 in gift cards which were then taken by the suspects.

From an article:

Police said the victim was a cashier at the store and was approached by the suspect's brother a few days earlier about getting debit cards from the store. 

The clerk told the man she did not want to go through with the scam, but then on Sunday, she was approached by the brother in the parking lot, according to the police report. She told him she wouldn't do it, and that's when he showed a gun, police said. 

When she went into work, the man got in her line and she rang up the cards as if they were paying but blocked the cash drawer from opening, according to the police report.  

The man had several other people get in line to make it look long so no one else would see what was happening, according to the report. 

She told police she did not report the robbery until her break because she had so many customers. She said she did not know the men's names but a total of 12 transactions were made, according to the report. 

Police said the gift cards were valued at $8,500 and the suspects left the store without incident.

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Man unintentionally shot with shotgun by toddler son in Arkansas Walmart parking lot

Occurred November 2, 2013.


A man, Monty Wheeler, was in his truck in the parking lot of a Walmart in Russellville, Arkansas, when his toddler son climbed up the driver's side door and, unintentionally, pulled the trigger on a loaded, unsecured shotgun.  The gun discharged, striking Wheeler in the back.  The child was unharmed.  Wheeler is in stable condition.

From an article:

According to Public Information Officer Drew Latch, police responded to a call in the Arkansas Walmart parking lot at 11:04 a.m. on Saturday. When officers arrived, they found a man, identified as Monty Wheeler, who had been shot in the back. 

Upon further investigation, officers determined that the man had actually been shot by his child, age unknown, who attempted to enter his father’s truck by scaling up the driver’s side. The child accidentally grabbed hold of an unsecured and loaded shotgun, which discharged and struck his father in the back. 

Wheeler was transported to a local hospital and is said to be in stable condition.

Remember, every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

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Report of a gun stolen from a New York Walmart

Occurred October 22, 2013.


Two people, Tara Reynolds, 34, and 22-year-old Brandon Duby, were arrested for possessing stolen property, in Ellenburg, New York.  Among the items found to be stolen in their apartment was a .50 caliber black powder long gun that was stolen from a Walmart store in Malone, New York.

From an article:

Police say after executing search warrant on Tara Reynolds, 34, and 22-year-old Brandon Duby's home they located many of the items from the burglaries and a stolen .50 caliber black powder long gun. The gun was stolen from a Walmart in Malone, N.Y. .... 

Duby and Reynolds were both additionally charged with 5th degree criminal possession of stolen property.  Reynolds was also charged with 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon due to a prior felony conviction.

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Three people shot in argument outside Arizona Walmart

Occurred October 20, 2013.


During a homecoming party of teenagers, an argument got out of hand, in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Glendale, Arizona.

That's when someone pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting a teen male.  Also injured were two bystanders, by stray gunfire, including an adult woman and a teen female.  Luckily, they are all expected to survive.  One teen was injured in the face, the other in the leg.

The shooter was caught by police.

From an article and video:

Police said a group of teens were at a nearby hookah lounge when a verbal altercation occurred. 

The dispute moved into the parking lot, which is when people involved in the altercation pulled out firearms and fired shots. 

A young adult male was hit by gunfire, while a juvenile female and a young adult female not involved in the altercation were struck by stray gunfire. 

The suspect fled the scene. 

The adult female who was shot was taken by friends to a hospital. She was treated for a minor injury and released. 

Officers arrived to find the young adult male and the juvenile female suffering from gunshot wounds to the body. 

They were treated at the scene and then taken to local hospitals. Their injuries aren't life-threatening.

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Man attempts to steal shotgun at gunpoint in South Carolina Walmart

Occurred October 13.


A heavily intoxicated man, Joshua Zirkle, 26, went to the gun counter at a Walmart in York, South Carolina, and attempted to steal a shotgun, threatening to "shoot up the store" with a concealed handgun if the clerk didn't let him.  Luckily, he was arrested before fleeing or shooting.

From an article:

Joshua Zirkle, 26, entered the store and asked the clerk at the firearms counter to see a 12 gauge shotgun, the report states. After looking at the weapon, Zirkle handed it back and said he needed to call his wife to ask for permission to buy the gun. 

He then motioned the clerk to the end of the counter and pulled up his shirt to reveal a handgun in his waistband. Zirkle said he was going to walk out of the store with the shotgun the clerk had showed him, the report states. 

If anyone stopped him from leaving, Zirkle said he would “shoot up” the store, the report states. He allowed the clerk to help other customers at the counter but continued to stand nearby and watch him. 

When police arrived at the store, Zirkle was sitting on the floor two aisles from the sporting goods section. The report describes him as “extremely intoxicated.” Officers found Zirkle had a handgun, shotgun shells and a pocket knife.

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/10/15/5306510/police-drunk-gunman-threatens.html#storylink=cpy

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