Shootings stun Black Friday shoppers days after Virginia Walmart killings

Multiple shootings broke out at two malls and a store, stunning Black Friday shoppers just days after the deadly mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia.

A woman was shot dead in San Antonio, Texas, at Ingram Park Mall during an internal confrontation that spilled into the parking lot, city police said, local news station KENS 5 reported.

Police said the argument escalated outside where the shooting took place, leaving the victim with a non-life-threatening arm injury, KSAT and News 4 San Antonio reported. The shooter fled the scene and no arrests have yet been made.

San Antonio Police Department confirmed on Twitter But Friday night that there was no threat to the public urged people to avoid the area as they begin investigating the shooting. Officials also said it was not an active shooter situation, according to local media.

In another incident in Greenville, North Carolina, two men were shot dead at the Greenville Mall on Friday, the Greenville, NC Police Department said in a statement.

Officers were dispatched to the scene around 6:30 p.m. to find the two men who had been shot dead at the mall near the American Eagle store. A dispute led to the two men being shot dead, preliminary police findings have revealed.

“The incident does not appear to be a coincidence. Both victims were transported to ECU Health for their injuries,” police added in the statement. “No other injuries have been reported and there is no ongoing threat. The mall has been evacuated while the investigation continues.”

No details were given about the nature of the dispute or whether any arrests were made.

On Friday, also in North Carolina, a man was shot in the hip at a Walmart Supercenter at 5070 Fayetteville Road in Lumberton, police said in a statement.

“Upon arrival, while the store was still being evacuated, officers entered the building and attempted to locate the shooter and any victims. After searching the building, officers did not find the shooter or the victim,” Lumberton Police said.

A shopper at the store said the incident “started as a big commotion. Then ‘Pang Bang’,” WPDE reported. A woman who was present during the shooting said: “I was scared for my life, I ran as fast as I could to get out.”

Police said the gunman opened fire after an argument at the Walmart, adding that the gunman knew the victim, who was later taken to a hospital to treat the non-life-threatening wound.

No arrests have been made yet as police are still searching for the attacker, whose name is withheld for now. Police said they were able to identify the suspect by looking at surveillance camera footage.

Footage showed the gunman fled the scene as shoppers were evacuated from the store.

“As of this writing, the Lumberton Police Department is not aware of any other customers or employees being injured as a result of this incident,” police said. According to WPDE, the store is expected to reopen on Saturday morning.

“We are working closely with local law enforcement, and they need to answer any questions you may have,” Walmart senior manager Ashley Nolan said in an email to WRAL News.

The Black Friday shootings come just days after Tuesday’s mass shooting in Chesapeake, in which a Walmart executive killed six people during a break room meeting.

The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Andre Bing, was found dead when officers arrived at the scene minutes later. Police believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to police, Bing was armed with a handgun and several rounds of ammunition.

news week has reached out to police in San Antonio, Lumberton and Greenville for comment.