Chaos erupted inside a South Carolina Walmart as a shootout unfolded yesterday afternoon, with two individuals being arrested and three people taken into custody. According to WBTV News, the events transpired inside the Lancaster Walmart located off Highway 9 bypass. The two men arrested were 18-year-old Lareakus Antonio Cunningham Jr. and 19-year-old Na’Rickio LaQuan Mickle, just after the shootout which took place shortly after 2:30 p.m.
Lancaster police acted swiftly to not only attend to those injured but also to immediately lock down the surrounding area, including four schools within the Lancaster County School District. Although students were fortunately on spring break, the lockdowns signal the readiness to place extreme precaution in effort to ensure further safety. In a statement by the district, received by WCNC Charlotte, these lockdowns have since been lifted.
The lancaster Police Department is undertaking a thorough investigation and will not rest until they uncover the full narrative of events that led to the altercation. Echoing the statements of law enforcement, QCNews reported that the two individuals injured during the incident are being detained while receiving medical treatment. The shootout happened within the automotive section of the Walmart, which according to law enforcement, was not a random act of violence,
A heavy presence of emergency responders was documented, with photographs displaying the sea of emergency vehicles lining the roads near the Walmart and adjacent businesses, as shared with WCNC Charlotte. Witnesses reported seeing vehicles from the fire department, police, SWAT, and state police. Fortunately, no customers or employees were injured during the incident. And while the current situation seems to contain, the Lancaster Police Department actively seeks additional suspects involved in the shootout, a fact reiterated by both WBTV News and WCNC Charlotte.
