A man was detained inside a Walmart in Springfield, Missouri after he walked into the store wearing military style clothing and body armor and carrying a rifle and a pistol, according to police and local reports. Authorities said he also had more than 100 rounds of ammunition.
Police and jail records identified the man as Dmitriy. Officials said he was pushing a shopping cart and recording video of himself on his phone. Springfield Police Lt. Mike Lucas said officers were called about a possible active shooter, and a store manager pulled the fire alarm so shoppers could get out. The incident came just days after mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, and police said that was on everyone’s minds.
An off duty firefighter who was in the store and asked not to be named told local station KOLR that he drew his own weapon and ordered the man to put his hands up. The firefighter said the man complied and stayed calm until police arrived to take his weapon.
Lucas said the man caused a great deal of panic. Local outlet KWCH reported that he was charged after the incident. Under Missouri law, openly carrying a firearm is legal as long as it is not displayed in a threatening manner, according to the National Rifle Association’s website.
Walmart said in a statement that a customer’s behavior was concerning to those inside the store and that law enforcement was contacted out of caution. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported. The charges are allegations, and the man had not been convicted at the time of this report.
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