An Attacker Shot Two Police Officers Before He Was Shot To Death At An Arkansas Walmart
- Two police officers were injured while the suspect died in a shooting at an eastern Arkansas Walmart on Monday, 10th February.
- The officers responded to the Walmart after they received a complaint of someone making threats to customers.
- One of the officers, who was shot four times, was rushed to the Regional One Health hospital in Memphis.
- The sheriff identified the suspect as Bobby Gibbs, who was arrested in 2012 for illegal weapon possession.
Two police officers were injured while the suspect died in a shooting at an eastern Arkansas Walmart on Monday, 10th February. Fox News reports two officers were shot at Walmart in Forrest City, about 85 miles east of Arkansas capital.
Cedric Williams, the Forrest City Mayor, said many lives were saved due to the officers' bravery and quick response in a news conference. He added,
Due to their heroism and quick response, no civilians were injured.
Williams said the officers responded to the Walmart after they received a complaint of someone making threats to customers.
Two police officers were injured in an Arkansas Walmart shooting SOURCE: USA Today
Police arrived at the Walmart on time, and two of them confronted the suspect when he pulled out a gun and shot both of them. In response, the officers shot and killed the suspect at the scene.
Forrest City Police Chief Deon Lee said one of the officers, who was shot four times, was rushed to the Regional One Health hospital in Memphis, where he underwent surgery and is expected to survive.
The two officers have been identified as Lt. Eric Varner and Det. Eugene Watlington. Lee said none of them was wearing a bullet-proof vest.
The sheriff identified the suspect as Bobby Gibbs, who had an extensive criminal record. He was arrested for weapon possession in 2012. Allen McGowan, the suspect's first cousin, is an a s sistant manager at a separate Walmart in Helena, Tennessee. McGowan said,
That's not like the Bobby I know. We were raised together, played in the same yard together, slept in the same bed beside each other.
She added,
I'm praying for the families of those victims. I hope the officers he fired on are sage and home with their families soon. Just keep praying.
Meanwhile, one woman, who was inside the Walmart said she heard 12 gunshots before she and her husband managed to escape the Walmart.