At least three dead in shooting at Colorado Walmart

Police said that the shooter was not at large but did not release information regarding the number of casualties.

By REUTERS

NOVEMBER 2, 2017 08:50

Walmart store. (photo credit: REUTERS) — Walmart store.

(photo credit: REUTERS)

THORNTON- At least three people were killed in a shooting inside a Walmart store on Wednesday in suburban Denver, where police said they had not yet taken anyone into custody.

The suspect "nonchalantly" entered a Walmart in Thornton, Colorado, and opened fire a little after 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday and then walked out, got into a red four-door hatchback and drove away, Thornton Police Department spokesman Victor Aliva told reporters, citing witness accounts.

"What we have determined is that it is random as of right now," Aliva said. "As witnesses stated, the person came in and just shot towards a group."

Two men died at the scene of the shooting. A wounded woman was taken to a hospital where she died, he said.

The shooter is a white man, who was wearing a black jacket, maroon shirt and blue jeans, Aliva said.

There was no indication that the shooting was an act of terrorism as no one has claimed responsibility, he said.

Multiple people down in shooting at Colorado Walmart, November 2, 2017. (Reuters)

"We can't rule anything out," he said.

Thornton is city of about 120,000 people roughly 10 miles (16 km) northeast of downtown Denver.

A Walmart customer, Aaron Stephens, 44, of Thornton, told Reuters he was inside paying for groceries at a self-checkout stand when he heard gunshots and the sound of ricocheting bullets.

"The employees started screaming and the customers started screaming" as people began to flee the store, he recounted. "I ran out, too, because I didn't want to get shot."

UPDATE: There is currently NO one in custody. Unfortunately the female transported with injury has also passed away. (3) confirmed dead. pic.twitter.com/HOpyrw8BUn

— Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) November 2, 2017

Stephens said he did not see where the shooting had come from and did not see anyone struck by bullets.

Local NBC television affiliate 9NEWS reported that a woman whose son was in the Walmart had told her that he had heard about 30 gunshots and was still inside.

A video posted on Twitter showed the Walmart, which is situated in a large complex of big-box stores and other retail outlets adjacent to US Interstate 25, apparently empty except for police officers with guns drawn.