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| Inside the Queensbury Walmart after the shooting (source) |
(UPDATED -- See below)
Robert Smith, a Walmart employee, was in his car in the parking lot of the store in Queensbury, New York, having just finished his shift, when a man named Raymond White walked up to his car and shot Smith three times with a shotgun, including in the face, chest, and shoulders, then fled the scene.
The store remained open during and after the shooting.
The shooter was found later and taken into custody, though he was suffering from a drug overdose. He had a history of trouble with the law.
Evidence was found that indicated that White had recently discovered that the victim was dating White's ex-wife.
From an article:
The alleged shooter, who was identified by police as Raymond C. White, 54, of West Street, Lake George, was placed in custody at the hospital shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday, according to State Police.
Police said White had apparently overdosed on some type of drug at a home in Fort Edward and was taken to the hospital.
Glens Falls Police took him into custody without incident after staff there recognized him from news accounts, officials said. ....
Authorities said at least three shots were fired at the 57-year-old victim. He was expected to survive, but needed surgery for wounds to his face. ...
The victim was seated in a car parked next to the store, and police said at least a portion of the incident was captured by surveillance cameras on store property.
Dianne Gee, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said the victim had finished his work shift and just left the store when he was attacked.
She said the store remained open Wednesday night as staff took the lead from police on how to handle the situation. The grocery entrance and portions of the store where evidence was located were cordoned off, and help was summoned for the victim, Gee said.From a follow-up article:
Warren County prosecutors filed a handwritten note that White is accused of leaving for his wife, Priscilla Clark, in the days before the shooting ...
The note includes numerous profanities and accusations of infidelity, and ends with a comment about funerals.
“Now (expletives deleted) you get to choose which funeral to attend,” the note reads.
White, 54, of West Street, Lake George, nearly died of a prescription drug overdose in the hours after the shooting. He was hospitalized for three days, but has recovered.
White has been charged with attempted murder, assault and numerous lesser charges in connection with the June 4 shooting.
The Warren County District Attorney’s Office also filed copies of a text message exchange between Clark and White in which he quizzes her about his belief she was having a romantic relationship with a man who worked in the produce department at Wal-Mart.
That exchange, which occurred between his April arrest for stealing Clark’s dentures and the shooting, included a number of overt threats.
“If I catch him at 48 West (St.), somebody going to die,” White is accused of writing.
“Today, when I find out his name, I’m going to go see him,” he wrote.
In a text that was apparently sent minutes later, he said he knew the man was “the (expletive) in produce.”
“I’m going to see him now, and then I am going to come see you,” White wrote.
He also wrote that police “should have gotten me when they had the chance. Now I’m in God’s hands.”Walmart. Save money. Die faster.
UPDATE (6/20/14): White survived and has been arraigned.
