Gunman robs woman in South Carolina Walmart parking lot

Occurred August 1, 2014.


A woman was held up at gunpoint in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Aiken, South Carolina, and robbed of cash and a cell phone.  The robber got away.  The victim was unharmed.

From an article with a video image of the suspect:

The victim was sitting in her vehicle that was parked in the Whiskey Road Wal-Mart parking lot at about noon when she was approached by an armed man. He pointed a handgun at the her and demanded money, according to reports.

The victim gave him an undisclosed amount of money, as well as her cellphone. The man then fled the scene in a white vehicle, the report stated.

The suspect is described as a black male, possibly in his 20s, wearing a baseball hat, brown boots, jeans and a gray long-sleeved T-shirt, according to reports.

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UPDATE (10/7/14):  A suspect, Cortavious Darshun Johnson, 23, of Augusta, is wanted for the robbery.

Man leaves loaded handgun in South Carolina Walmart bathroom

Occurred July 12, 2014.


A loaded .38-caliber handgun was found unattended in the bathroom of a Walmart in York, South Carolina.

Police were notified, and the gun was taken into evidence, and was found not to be reported stolen.  "Some time later" a man called in to report that he had lost the gun and was told to report to the police to retrieve it.

From an article:

Officers were called to Walmart on East Liberty Street at about 3 p.m. when an assistant manager reported that a customer told him a gun was in the men’s restroom near the back of the store, according to a York Police report. The manager locked the bathroom door and called police. 

Police went inside the bathroom and walked to the last stall, where they found a gray Smith & Wesson revolver on the toilet paper dispenser, the report states. An officer found five live .38 caliber rounds inside the gun. Officers checked the gun’s serial numbers and realized it was not stolen. 

Some time later, a man called police about the gun, the report states. He described the gun to officers and explained he left it in the bathroom. Police instructed him to report to the police department on Monday to pick up his firearm.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/07/14/3563913/loaded-gun-found-in-bathroom-at.html#storylink=cpy

Walmart allows conceal carry in its stores.

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Armed robbery at South Carolina Walmart

Occurred April 10, 2014.

Suspect during robbery at Columbia Walmart (source)

A man was at a checkout in a Walmart store in Columbia, South Carolina, when he pulled out a handgun and threatened the clerk.  He then fled with cash from the cash register.

Luckily, no one was injured.

From an article, with images of the suspect:

The man is accused of pointing a gun at a female clerk at a Walmart store located at 7520 Garners Ferry Road shortly before 11 p.m. on April 10, 2014.

The clerk tells CPD that the armed man acted like he was going to purchase items. As soon as she opened the cash register, the man allegedly threatened her with the gun and stole money.

She screamed during the incident but was not harmed.

The suspect is described as a black male, with a thin beard, possibly between the ages of 35-40-years-old, standing approximately 6'2", and weighing 200 pounds.

He was reportedly last seen wearing a gray hoodie with a Nike 'swoosh' on the front, with dark pants and a red Cincinnati baseball cap.

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Gunman robs elderly man at South Carolina Walmart; victim then shoots at robber

Occurred March 13, 2014.


A man with a gun approached an elderly man in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Gaffney, South Carolina, and robbed him of his driver's license and credit cards.

The victim then pulled out his own gun, firing two shots, but apparently missing.  The robber got away.

From an article:

According to a Gaffney Police Department incident report, a 74-year-old man told police an individual came up behind him as he was standing outside his pick-up truck on the morning of March 13.

The unknown gunman held a pistol to the side of the man's head and demanded money, according to the report. The robber grabbed the man's wallet, which contained $2,900, and ran away.

The 74-year-old of Iron Station, N.C., then fired two shots from his own pistol in the direction of the gunman, the report states.

The unknown gunman also ran away with the man's driver's license and credit cards, the report states.

More information, including the name of the victim and the description of the robber's vehicle.


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Woman robbed at gunpoint at South Carolina Walmart

Occurred February 5, 2014.


A woman, a Walmart employee, was in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Traveler's Rest, South Carolina, when a man approached her.  He then attempted to carjack her and possibly kidnap her.  When she resisted, he drove off in her car with her purse.

Luckily, no one was injured.

From an article and news video:

Police Chief Lance Crowe said the woman worked inside the store and was headed to her car in the employee lot on the grocery-side of the building when a man approached and asked for some change about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.

When the woman said no and kept walking to her car, the man pulled out a gun and demanded she get in the vehicle, Crowe said. He said the woman believed he was trying to steal the car and kidnap her, so she tried to grab the gun and struggle with the man before she took off running.

The man grabbed her purse and drove off in her car, a 2004 VW Beetle, police said. Later Thursday morning, Crowe said the same officer working the case discovered the woman's Beetle unoccupied in the parking lot of Tractor Supply in Travelers Rest.

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Teenage shoplifter opens fire on shoppers at South Carolina Walmart

Occurred February 23, 2014.

Scene of shooting at Easley Walmart (source)

A 14-year old boy was caught shoplifting at a Walmart store in Easley, South Carolina.  When a loss-prevention chased him out of a store, along with a couple of shoppers, the boy opened fire on those other shopper with a 9 mm handgun.

Luckily no one was hurt.  Officers were already on the scene and arrested the boy.

From an article:

The loss prevention officer had suspected the teen was shoplifting and approached him inside the store, Miller said.

"They were going to question him and call us, so we could take him into custody, but then he pulled out a gun," said Miller.

As the teen ran out of the store, officers heard two gunshots, and people shouting, “He has a gun,” according to Miller.

The teen fired at two innocent bystanders, who tried to help security catch the teen said Miller.  Once outside the store in the parking lot, investigators said the teen turned and fire two shots at those men.

"Nobody was injured," said Miller.  "There was actually a fragment recovered from the wall of Walmart."

Officers were able to catch up to and disarm the teen, who was carrying a 9 mm handgun, according to Miller.

The teen faces two counts of attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of marijuana.  More  charges are pending, Miller said.

"We continue to investigate how the boy got the gun and who drove him to the Walmart," said Miller.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.


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South Carolina Walmart robbed at gunpoint by man in suit

Occurred February 5, 2014.


A man in a suit and fake beard entered a Walmart store in Pickens, South Carolina, and robbed it at gunpoint before fleeing.

From an article:

Police said the robbery happened about 10:40 p.m. at the Gentry Memorial Highway store.

The man walked in, pointed a pistol at the cashier and demanded money, according to police.

They said he was wearing a gray suit, hat and dress shoes and had a fake beard glued to his face. He was described as 6'3" tall and weighed about 240 pounds.

Police said they believe he had two women with him who were waiting for him up the road.

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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 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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Shots fired in another South Carolina Walmart

Occurred October 28, 2013.


A drive-by shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Rock Hill, South Carolina, when a person in a car opened fire at another group of people, shattering glass in the car.  Luckily no one was injured.

From an article:

One of the men involved in the shooting met with police when his grandfather took him to the law center, police reported. The man, 19, told police he and a friend were driving through the Walmart parking lot when they noticed the people in a Crown Victoria began starting at them. They asked the group in the Crown Victoria what they were looking at. That’s when the people inside the Crown Victoria began firing bullets at them, the report states. 

The back window of the Taurus was shattered. The passenger got out of the Taurus and returned fire, the report states.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/10/28/4422203/drive-by-shooting-reported-at.html#.UnXdOvlwp8E#storylink=cpy

This Walmart is also the scene of a stabbing earlier in October.

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Shots fired at a South Carolina Walmart

Occurred October 14, 2013.


An argument broke out between two groups of men in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Sumter, South Carolina.  That's when one group opened fire on the other, hitting a vehicle.  Luckily no one was injured.

From an article:

A witness reported seeing four black males standing outside a black Pontiac Grand Prix in row 10 just after 4:30 p.m. According to the report, a black Ford F150 truck pulled up to the area and the two groups got into an argument. 

One of the men exited the truck and began firing at the Pontiac, according to the witness. After approximately six shots, the man got into the truck and drove away. 

The Grand Prix also left the parking lot. A witness states rounds hit the driver's side window and driver's side frame. 

The shooter is described as a young black male wearing a black shirt and camouflage pants.

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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.

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Armed robbery by gunman in South Carolina Walmart parking lot

Occurred July 31, 2013.


A Walmart employee in Columbia, South Carolina, was leaving and walking to her car when a man walked up and robbed her at gunpoint of her cell phone, ID, and keys, then the robber fled in a car driven by a 17-year old girl.

Both of the suspects were soon captured and the materials were given back to the owner.

From an article:

Mason Gibbs, 20, and Janae Brabham, 17, have both been placed under arrest and charged with armed robbery.

According to the report, the victim was leaving work around 10:50pm Monday, and was approached by Mason Gibbs, who presented a gun, demanding her cell phone, work ID, and keys.

Gibbs then allegedly fled on foot, and was seen by a Richland County Deputy getting in to a red Volvo, driven by Janae Brabham.

Deputies quickly stopped the vehicle and recovered the victim's stolen items, as well as the gun use during the crime.

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Two men commit robbery at gunpoint in South Carolina Walmart parking lot

Occurred July 8, 2013.


A man went to the parking lot of a Walmart in Lancaster, South Carolina, to give a down payment to a seller of a car from Craigslist.  Instead, two men showed up and robbed him at gunpoint.  The men escaped, along with a third man believed to drive the get-away vehicle.

From an article:

A Charlotte man told police earlier this week that two men robbed him at gunpoint in the Walmart parking lot on Monday around 11 a.m. 

They took cash and the victim’s wallet, keys and two GPS systems before running away, police said. 

The man arranged to meet at the Walmart in response to a Craigslist ad about a vehicle for sale. He was supposed to be giving the seller the down payment, police said.

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/07/10/5012276/rock-hill-man-arrested-in-lancaster.html#storylink=cpy

Two suspects have been arrested:  Malcolm Shaquille Williams, age 18, who turned himself in, and Jequavis Tyanthony Clyburn, age 26, who was arrested at his home.

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Armed robbery in South Carolina Walmart parking lot

Occurred April 30, 2013.


A woman was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of a Walmart in Anderson, South Carolina, by a man and woman.  The suspects were later captured.

From an article:

Authorities say it happened around 3:30 p.m. at the Liberty Highway store when the victim was robbed at gunpoint. 

They say person got into their vehicle and followed the alleged robbers and gave a description to police, who then responded. 

The driver, a male, jumped out of the car and was arrested at the mall.  A woman was later arrested.

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Armed robbery at South Carolina Walmart

Occurred April 5, 2013.

A man armed with a gun held up a Walmart in Asheville, South Carolina.

From an article, with images of the suspect and his vehicle:

The suspect said he had a gun and demanded cash from the clerk.  No injuries were reported.  The man got away with an undetermined amount of cash. 

He is described as a white male, standing 5'10", with a black Asheville Tourist baseball hat and sweatshirt, khaki pants, black gloves and brown shoes.  He was also seen wearing a stocking over his face with the eyes cut out, along with dark rimmed glasses.

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Woman in South Carolina Walmart parking lot struck by stray bullet

Occurred April 3, 2013.

A woman was getting out of her car in a Walmart parking lot in Walterboro, South Carolina, when she was struck in the stomach by a stray bullet falling out of the sky.  Luckily she was only mildly wounded.

Police later found a group of men in a nearby swamp who likely fired the round, who were shooting off a number of different weapons.

From an article:

The woman, according to Walterboro Police Chief Otis Rhodes, was getting out of her vehicle to go into the store Wednesday at approximately 12:15 p.m. when she was struck in the stomach by the bullet. 

The projectile had lost most of its velocity, simply bruising the woman as it fell to earth. Not knowing what had caused her minor injury, she walked into the business and told store employees, who contacted city police. She reportedly decided she did not need medical attention. 

Rhodes said officers found the bullet near the woman’s car. 

Police sent to the shopping center continued to hear distant gunfire. ... 

A team of sheriff’s office and Walterboro Public Safety personnel tracked the sounds of gunshots to the 1300 block of Mount Carmel Road. 

After walking through a swamp, the officers found four males who said they had been shooting rounds from three rifles, four handguns and a shotgun. 

They were told it appeared one of their bullets had traveled from their location to the Walmart parking lot, a distance a deputy estimated to be “about one-fourth to one-half mile as the crow flies.” 

The men said they had been firing into the ground and into the swamp. The deputy who was part of the search team reported that the area did not have a safe backstop for shooting. 

Officers obtained the personal information from the four men and took photographs of their weapons.

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Dispute in South Carolina Walmart parking lot leads to shooting

Shooting suspects walking out of Beaufort Walmart

Occurred December 18, 2012.

A 24-year old man was shot and wounded in the parking lot of the Walmart in Beaufort, South Carolina, following a dispute.

From an article:

Upon arrival, officers met with a 24-year-old man who had what appeared to be a bullet wound to the arm. The victim reported that he had been loading items into his vehicle in the parking lot of Walmart when he heard gunshots and then felt something hit his arm. He then drove to his home and had someone drive him to the hospital for treatment.  

When officers went to the reported scene they found a vehicle with several bullet holes and some blood on the ground. Witnesses reported hearing three to four shots at approximately 11:30 p.m.  

Investigators believe the suspects are two black males that were driving a white four door sedan. Witnesses reported that the victim was observed in a verbal dispute with two men just prior to the shooting. The dispute is believed to be related to the shooting. 

(a related article)

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UPDATE (1/6/13):  Both suspects have now been arrested: Dion Ramell Hagood, 24, and Pierre Lamont Bryant, 52.

Assault rifles stolen from two South Carolina Walmarts

Suspects stealing assault rifles at Walmart stores

Occurred October 28 and November 1, 2012.

In two separate incidents, in the cities of Summerville and Walterboro, South Carolina, suspects entered Walmart stores and stole assault rifles from the displays.

From an article:

Law enforcement agencies in Walterboro and Summerville are on the lookout for the people responsible for two separate incidents where assault rifles were stolen from area Walmarts.

Officials with the Summerville Police Department say a man entered the Walmart on North Main Street last Thursday and stole two assault rifles.

According to police, the suspect took a hammer and chisel from inside the department store and used them to open a gun case. The suspect then took an AR 15 and 22. caliber assault rifle. Police say those assault rifles were later found near an I-26 off ramp near North Main Street.

Officials with the Walterboro Public Safety Department say a similar incident happened at a Walmart on Bells Highway when two suspects entered the store on Oct. 28 at 11 p.m.

Authorities say one of the suspects grabbed a hammer from the store and smashed the gun case.  The suspect then took two assault rifles which have not been recovered.

Investigators are looking for a 2000 to 2002 green 4-door Mazda Protege with alloy wheels in connection to this case.

Police say they don't believe the suspects in the two incidents are the same, but could possibly be two groups of people working separately or together.

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