Former Walmart employee arrested after shooting customer multiple times during argument at front of store

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Walmart shooting scene by is licensed under YouTube
MEMPHIS, TN - On Friday, March 22nd, a customer was critically injured during a shooting at the Walmart on located on Germantown Parkway at Trinity Road. The shooting took place inside of the store and was allegedly between a former employee and the customer. 

According to authorities, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Tamarris Hopkins, has been arrested and taken into custody. The Memphis Fire Department said that the victim is at Regional One Hospital being treated for their injuries. Hopkins has been charged with criminal attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

Police were called to the scene around 2:15 p.m. on calls of shots being fired. Initial investigations incident that the shooting was between a male customer and Hopkins, the former Walmart employee, after the two got into an argument at the front of the store. Police also stated that the shooting appears to have been a targeted incident. Hopkins fired multiple rounds at the victim.

A lieutenant with MPD said that Hopkins allegedly followed the victim into the store and punched him. After being hit, the victim allegedly reached for Hopkin's gun and that is when Hopkins shot at the man four times. The victim was with his young son and brother at the time he was shot. Detectives are still putting the pieces together of what exactly led to the targeted shooting.

Witnesses told police that Hopkins was arguing with a woman before the gunfire broke out. One eyewitness said, "The young lady [was] driving, jumped [out] pf the car and ran after him. She was screaming at him about her phone, [started] hitting on him and he started hitting back on her." Another witness said that the victim was trying to talk Hopkins down from the argument.

Police said that's when Hopkins followed the victim back into the store, punched him and then shot the man multiple times in front of his young son and brother. Hopkins then fled the scene in a Black Mazda SUV. Police have not released any details around the arrest of Hopkins other than saying that he has been taken into custody and charged with the crimes listed above. 

Barbara Blake, an employee of Walmart, said, "When you leave home and go to work, something that we normally take for granted anymore. We don't know what's on the mind of the individuals you work with. It's really heartbreaking."

After the shooting, the store was shut down for hours. MPD said that Walmart followed all protocols to keep other customers and employees safe following the shooting. Walmart said in a statement, "The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority. We will work closely with local law enforcement through the course of their investigation and refer any additional questions to them."
 
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Kevin

Unless someone is being battered ,trying to talk someone down should be left to the professionals cause that rage can easily turn to focus on you. So unless you're prepared........

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