Police secured the entrance to the Commerce Walmart, on Sunday afternoon, following a fatal shooting, where a
gunman was killed and an off-duty police officer was injured.

 

Walmart Store in Neighboring Commerce
Scene of Sunday Afternoon Shooting

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Shoppers in the Commerce Walmart Store, located on Highway 50 in the city limits of Commerce, were frightened on Sunday afternoon, when a lone gunman, carrying two guns entered the store. The gunman walked into the store before engaging in a shootout with police officers, outside the store.

The gunman was killed and an off-duty police officer in the store was shot and injured, as he attempted to stop the gunman. The officer was care flighted  to a hospital in Tyler, Texas, with undisclosed injuries.

The incident began in nearby Greenville, Texas, when police there received a 911 call of shots being fired from a car, in that city. Commerce police intercepted the car just outside the city limits of Commerce, where the gunman exchanged gunfire with the officers. The gunman then drove into the Walmart parking lot and entered the store, carrying a long gun and a pistol.

The off-duty officer, who was from the Delta County Sheriff's Department, was in the store and saw the man. The officer attempted to stop the suspect at the front of the store, where the officer and the gunman engaged in gunfire.

 

"We were in the store and heard gunshots, and my wife and I quickly ran out the store," described one shopper. "It was frightening and we got out just as quickly as we could!"

Two shoppers were taken to local hospitals complaining with "chest pains" from the excitement, and Commerce Police and other law enforcement agencies, secured the store and barricaded the entrance, following the shooting.

"It just goes to show you that you never know what is going to happen," expressed another Commerce Walmart shopper. "I was about to enter the store, going after a loaf of bread, following Sunday dinner, and was almost involved in the middle of the shootout!"

The off-duty officer injured has been identified as Delta County Sheriffs Deputy, Paul Robertson, of Cooper. The gunman has not yet been identified.

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