Fight at Wilson Walmart Turns to Gunfire, Two Charged with Attempted Murder
A fight that began near an in store barbershop at a Walmart in Wilson North Carolina on December 24 escalated to gunfire inside the store, prompting shoppers to scramble as ambulances and police arrived. Two men were charged with attempted first degree murder after investigators determined guns were drawn and at least one shot was fired, a disruption that left the store closed through Christmas and raised safety concerns for employees and customers.
On December 24 a physical altercation at the Walmart in Wilson North Carolina moved into the sales floor and resulted in gunfire inside the store. Police and video evidence showed ambulances and officers arriving as shoppers fled to safety. Investigators determined that guns were drawn and at least one shot was fired, and two men were later charged with attempted first degree murder. Authorities identified the suspects as Ashton Marcal Pittman 19 and Jordan Lamar Battle 30.
Bystanders and other shoppers intervened during the incident and helped disarm one of the suspects before police arrived. Officers cleared and swept the store as part of the immediate response. The location did not reopen on Christmas Day while police completed their investigation and the scene was processed.
The shooting caused an abrupt disruption for customers and store associates. Closing the store on a major holiday affected shoppers who had planned last minute purchases and associates who expected to work the holiday shift. Beyond the economic impact of a temporary closure the event may have lingering effects on employee morale and perceptions of safety among staff who were on duty or who shop at the location.
Incidents of violence inside retail settings also complicate how large employers manage in store services such as barbershops which bring additional customers and interaction. For hourly workers the episode underscores the unpredictable risks they can face while performing routine duties. Intervention by bystanders that helped restrain a suspect prevented further harm but also exposed civilians to danger and raises questions about training and emergency protocols for both employees and customers.
As police advance their investigation the charges against the two men will determine whether prosecutors pursue the attempted first degree murder counts. Meanwhile Walmart associates at the Wilson store and across the region are likely to be watching for changes in security measures and communication from management about how the company will respond to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
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