Authorities said three people, including a deputy mayor, were wounded Saturday in a shootout at Walmart, Virginia.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said at a press conference that the attorney, who was not identified, and two Walmart security personnel were taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.
He said the suspect, who has also not been identified, was detained in nearby Fairfax County after a car chase. Sharif officials said he was taken to hospital because he was injured in an exchange of fire.
It began when Walmart security personnel at Dallas Crossing Plaza in Sterling, Virginia, “escorted” the suspect to their office after he allegedly stole items inside the store.
Chapman said the two employees, whom authorities described as casualty prevention officers, had summoned lawmakers for his arrest for the alleged theft.
He said that when the respondents tried to arrest the suspect, he resisted, pulled a pistol from his waistband, and opened fire inside the security office.
Al-Sharif said, “As far as we know, he ended up beating the loss prevention officers once, with each of their legs.” “One of our representatives was killed and wounded several times,” he added.
The other attorney responded by shooting, beating the man, but that wasn’t enough to stop him from running into the parking lot, finding a pickup truck inside and dropping off, Chapman said.
Representatives pursued him, and law enforcement officers from other agencies, including the Virginia State Police, helped him, Sheriff officials said. Chapman said the authorities at one point lost track of the suspect and a law enforcement helicopter was being recruited to help track him down.
Police officials said the man was eventually found after “smashing” the truck and was detained before being taken to hospital.
