One man was dead and another in custody Monday after an altercation morphed into a fatal shooting outside a Walmart super center in Punxsutawney, Penn.
It was about 12:15 p.m. Monday when, Pennsylvania State Police said, two men began arguing at the Walmart Super Center in Young Township, Jefferson County.
The confrontation “ended with a fatal gunshot wound to one of the males,” police said in a statement. “At this time, Troop C Crime Unit and members of the state police are currently investigating this incident. There are no threats to the general public, and the other male is in custody.”
Cops did not immediately release the name of the shooter or the victim.
A heavy police presence was noted at the Walmart and the Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company urged the public to steer clear of the area. The Punxsutawney Area School District noted that it conducted a precautionary “perimeter hold” at Punxsutawney Area High School and Punxsutawney Elementary School.
“During a Perimeter Hold, classes and instruction continue as normal within the building, but no one is permitted outside of the building until an ‘All-Clear’ given by administrators and local law enforcement,” the district said on social media. “The ‘All-Clear’ was given shortly after the Perimeter Hold, and PASD has returned to normal operations.”
Walmart officials said they were aware of the shooting and confirmed the parking lot location.
“The safety of customers and associates is among our top priorities,” a spokesperson for the retailer told WJAC-TV. “We will work with law enforcement as they continue their investigation and refer any further questions to the police.”
