BEAVERCREEK, Ohio (AP) — A man in a southwest Ohio Wal-Mart store waved a rifle at customers, including children, and was fatally shot by police when he wouldn’t drop the weapon, according to police and a recorded 911 call from a witness.
Authorities say a customer also died after suffering a medical problem during the evacuation of the store Tuesday. Police identified her as Angela Williams, 37, of Fairborn.
Police identified the man shot Tuesday night at a Wal-Mart in the Dayton suburb of Beavercreek as 22-year-old John Crawford of Cincinnati. He died at a hospital.
It’s unclear why he had the weapon in the store. A statement from police didn’t address Crawford’s motives or provide further details about him. No phone was listed for Crawford at the address police had for him.
Beavercreek police said initial investigations indicate the officers responded appropriately. State investigators will review the shooting.
A man who witnessed the scene told a 911 dispatcher that a man with a rifle was near the pet supplies section and appeared to be loading the firearm.
“There is a gentleman walking around with a gun in the store. … He’s, like, pointing it at people,” the witness said. Later in the call, sounds like gunshots can be heard, followed by someone screaming for people to leave.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said by email Wednesday that the company is working with investigators and is “deeply saddened about the loss of life.”
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