A Walmart customer at an Orlando branch of the franchise fatally shot a 19-year-old man Saturday as he was suspected of trying to steal diapers from the store. There have been no charges yet as investigations continue.
Onlookers told authorities the teen was loading the pack of diapers into a stolen vehicle where three to four people were inside. A customer saw an employee of the Pine Hills store confronting them and so he tried to help. He had a weapon of his own and fired at the shoplifter.
"While helping the employee, the customer felt threatened by one of the suspects, who the customer believed was arming himself," Orange County Sheriff Capt. Angelo Nieves said in a statement, Huffington Post reported. It was not clear if there was a verbal argument between the customer and the suspects or what the suspects did for him to feel threatened.
Another witness claimed that the suspect was shot multiple times as eight shots were fired and slugs were recovered at the scene. The suspects fled the scene as the shooting took place but their car crashed into two other vehicles in the parking lot of Walmart.
The suspects then abandoned their car as the one suspect who was shot tried to go to a nearby gas station but collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries, UPI reported.
Nieves further said the red vehicle of the suspects used in the attempted stealing at the Walmart store was stolen last Jan. 14. No arrests have been made yet as per the other suspects with the teenager who was shot dead.
It is unclear if the customer who tried to help will be charged. Nieves said that the customer, the employee, and other witnesses are being questioned and are cooperative.
In the photos that surfaced on the internet showing the crime scene, it could be seen that diapers were scattered in the area. None of the people involved in this report were named.
