Authorities said no injuries were reported after shots were fired during a disturbance inside a Phenix City store.
PHENIX CITY, Ala. — Four juveniles were detained Thursday after gunfire erupted inside a Walmart in eastern Alabama, causing frightened shoppers and employees to flee the building as police secured the store and launched an investigation.
Authorities said officers responded shortly after 7 p.m. to reports of shots fired at the Walmart located along U.S. Highway 280 in Phenix City, near the Alabama-Georgia state line. Police said officers arriving at the scene quickly detained four juveniles believed to be connected to the disturbance. Investigators said no injuries were reported, though several customers described panic inside the crowded store as people ran toward exits and abandoned shopping carts in aisles.
Witnesses said the sound of gunfire caused immediate confusion inside the building. Some shoppers told local media they initially believed merchandise shelves had collapsed before hearing screams and seeing people sprint toward the front entrances. Police officers moved customers outside while securing different sections of the store to determine whether additional suspects or victims were inside. Authorities later confirmed that the scene had been stabilized and there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Phenix City police said preliminary information indicated the shooting stemmed from an altercation involving juveniles inside the store. Investigators did not publicly identify the detained individuals because of their ages, and officials declined to specify how many shots were fired. Officers spent several hours collecting evidence, reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine exactly what happened before the gunfire began.
Police vehicles and emergency lights surrounded the Walmart parking lot throughout the evening as investigators blocked portions of the area with crime-scene tape. Some customers who had fled the building remained outside waiting for permission to retrieve personal belongings and vehicles. Witnesses described a chaotic scene in which families separated temporarily while trying to escape the store during the confusion.
Authorities said the investigation remains active and that detectives are working to determine whether any charges will be filed. Police also continued examining whether multiple weapons were involved and whether the juveniles knew one another before the confrontation. Officers did not announce any arrests Thursday night, but officials confirmed the juveniles remained in custody while interviews continued.
The incident added to growing concerns surrounding public safety disturbances at major retail stores, where large crowds and busy evening shopping hours can complicate emergency responses. Law enforcement agencies in Alabama and across the country have increasingly relied on store surveillance systems and rapid-response protocols to manage incidents involving firearms in crowded commercial spaces. Officials in Phenix City said investigators would continue coordinating with Walmart security personnel as the case develops.
Store employees and shoppers described emotional scenes after officers allowed some people back inside to retrieve belongings. One witness said parents were crying as they searched for children who had scattered during the panic, while employees attempted to calm frightened customers near the exits. Another shopper said the sound of sirens continued long after officers cleared the interior of the building.
Walmart representatives did not immediately release detailed public comments about the incident, though authorities said the company was cooperating fully with investigators. Police urged anyone who recorded video inside or outside the store during the disturbance to provide footage to detectives reviewing the timeline of events.
As of Friday morning, investigators had not released the identities of the juveniles or announced formal charges. Authorities said additional updates would likely follow after detectives complete witness interviews and evidence reviews connected to the shooting.
Author note: Last updated May 23, 2026.