An employee was wounded after several shots were fired during an argument between two customers near the store’s self-checkout area.
GLENOLDEN, Pa. — Police have identified a man accused of opening fire during an argument near a Walmart self-checkout area, wounding an employee who was not involved in the dispute.
Darby Township police identified the suspect as Armani Tyrell Waite and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Authorities said Waite should be considered armed and dangerous. He faces charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and weapons offenses, according to police.
The shooting happened at about 7:25 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Walmart on North MacDade Boulevard in Glenolden, a community in Delaware County southwest of Philadelphia. Investigators said two male customers began arguing near the self-checkout area before one of them pulled out a handgun and fired several times.
Police said between five and 10 shots were fired inside the store. A female Walmart employee who was not part of the argument was struck in the calf and taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Authorities described her injuries as not life-threatening.
Darby Township Police Chief Mike Sousa said the employee was released from the hospital the night of the shooting and was recovering. Police have not publicly identified the employee or the other customer involved in the argument.
At least one bullet also struck and shattered a glass window near the store’s front entrance. Employees and customers fled or were moved toward the back of the building as officers responded. Witnesses described hearing gunfire, children screaming and shoppers trying to help people who were panicking.
Investigators reviewed surveillance recordings from inside and outside the Walmart as they worked to identify the shooter. Police also examined purchase records that could help establish who was using the self-checkout area before the gunfire began.
Police have not said what started the argument. They also have not released a detailed account of what happened immediately before the shots were fired or disclosed whether the two customers knew each other.
Waite allegedly left the store before officers arrived. Police cleared the Walmart and nearby businesses, including a ShopRite and Forman Mills, and said there was no continuing threat to shoppers in the shopping center.
Walmart said the safety of its employees and customers was a priority and thanked first responders for their quick response. The company said it was cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continued.
Police said the search for Waite remained active Sunday. Authorities asked anyone who sees him not to approach him and to contact emergency services. An arrest had not been publicly announced as of late Aug. 2.