Man Accused Of Fatally Shooting Shopper, Injuring Worker Who Tried To Stop Him From Stealing At Walmart: Cops

An Ohio man is accused of fatally shooting a shopper and wounding a worker at Walmart who attempted to stop him from stealing, authorities said.

Shortly before 8 a.m. on May 26, officers in Fairfield responded to a report that two people were shot inside the store and the suspected shooter had fled.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, witnesses said the suspect, who was wearing dark clothing as well as a COVID-type face mask, was in the electronics section of Walmart when he tried to steal some of the merchandise.

“A shopper intervened and the male suspect was able to pull away and run toward the front of the store where another shopper tried to stop him,” police said. “The suspect pulled out a handgun and shot and killed that individual who attempted to help."

WXIX-TV reported the victim was 35-year-old Adam Lee Black of Columbus.

Fairfield police said an employee who was in the area "also tried to help and was also struck by a bullet.”

The employee was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition.

Officers with the Hamilton Police Department located a vehicle matching a description of the suspect’s car a short time later and spoke with the passenger.

As the investigation continued, detectives identified Anthony F. Brown, 32, as the suspected shooter and located him at a Fairfield Inn in Hamilton. When authorities moved in to apprehend him, police said Brown “jumped out of a first-floor window and attempted to run from the area, dropped a handgun, and was apprehended and placed under arrest.”

Brown currently faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder and robbery, and police said he may face additional counts.

He was being held in lieu of $5 million bond at the Butler County jail.