Shoppers and employees at the Walmart at 904 Cypress Parkway were thrown into chaos Thursday night when deputies rushed to reports of gunfire inside the store just before 8 p.m. last night. A heavy law enforcement response quickly sealed off the building and nearby roads while investigators moved in, with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office calling it an active scene and urging drivers and residents to steer clear of the stretch of Cypress Parkway.
What officials say
According to FOX 35 Orlando, deputies were notified just before 8 p.m., and the sheriff’s office said the number of victims and suspects had not yet been confirmed. Deputies continued working to secure the building and interview witnesses inside and around the store.
On-scene updates
As reported by WESH, deputies said the shooting took place inside the Poinciana Walmart, and a suspect had not been identified at the time of the station’s update. The outlet reported that officers were conducting sweeps to make sure there was no ongoing threat and warned drivers to expect delays while the scene was processed.
Location and response
ClickOrlando noted the incident was reported at 904 Cypress Parkway and later clarified that the store’s address places it in Poinciana, not Kissimmee. The station reported that the sheriff's office planned a news conference in a Publix parking lot across the street while deputies collected evidence and handled traffic in the area.
Local context
This shooting comes on the heels of other recent violence in Osceola County. On Sunday, WESH reported that deputies arrested a man after two brothers were critically wounded in a separate Kissimmee shooting. Local officials have urged residents to stay alert and to share any information that could help ongoing investigations.
Anyone with information about the Walmart shooting is asked to contact the Osceola County Sheriff's Office or CrimeLine. The sheriff’s contact page lists a non-emergency number at (407) 348-2222 and CrimeLine at 1-800-423-8477. The sheriff's office has said it will release more details at its planned briefing, and this story will be updated as officials provide new information.
