A sheriff’s deputy and two civilians are being treated for serious injuries at a hospital after a suspected shoplifter opened fire at a Walmart in Sterling, バージニア, northwest of Washington, D.C., authorities said Saturday.
The incident began when two loss prevention officers at Walmart allegedly observed a man stealing items from the store and attempted to escort him into an office, according to a statement from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
Two deputies responded to try to take the man into custody, 声明は言った. During a struggle, the suspect pulled a gun from his waistband and allegedly started shooting, hitting both loss prevention officers and one of the two deputies, 保安官事務所によると.
The second deputy returned fire, hitting the suspect, 当局は言った.
“I don’t know what the injuries were, certainly not severe enough to keep him from running and jumping into a truck and driving away,” Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman said.
The truck was parked behind the store with the keys in it, 保安官事務所によると.
A vehicle chase ensued, and the Fairfax County Police Department, following a lookout alert for a stolen vehicle, apprehended the suspect, 保安官事務所は言った.
The man was taken to a hospital and charges are pending, 当局によると.
All the victims’ injuries are non-life-threatening, but the deputy was shot and struck several times, Chapman said.
