FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — One man is charged after shooting two people inside a Fairfield Township Walmart Thursday killing one and injuring another, Fairfield Township police said.
Anthony Brown, 32, was booked into the Butler County Jail on felony charges including aggravated robbery, aggravated murder and having weapons under disability. Fairfield Township police said other charges may be pending.
Brown's bond was set at $5 million, according to his attorney, Clyde Bennett.
He was taken into custody around 4:15 a.m. Friday after a situation involving SWAT at the Fairfield Inn in Middletown, according to Middletown police.
Fairfield Township police and other agencies responded to reports of a shooting at a Walmart on Princeton Road at around 8 p.m. Thursday. Before they arrived, police said they were told two people were shot and a suspect had left the scene.
One person, 35-year-old Adam Black, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Butler County Coroner. A second person was taken to UC West Chester. While their condition is unknown, police said they believe the person had life-threatening injuries.
"In our own hometown, it's crazy that it's here something's happening like that," one witness said. "Can't even come to your local store safely."
Police said a Walmart employee and other customers confronted the suspect, who was shoplifting in the electronics section.
“We can all appreciate a good samaritan who is wanting to jump in and help, [but] there’s so many times when someone is getting hurt," Fairfield Township Police Capt. Doug Lanier said. "For property, it’s just not worth it. Just not worth it.”
According to Fairfield Township Police, the good Samaritan was shot and killed. An employee was also shot and taken to U.C. West Chester in serious condition.
A Walmart employee told WCPO the employee who was shot and taken to the hospital worked as a greeter at the front of the store.
"We come here every day — you never suspect it," one employee said. "It's hard to believe something like this would happen."
The suspect's car was found in Hamilton. Police said they found a passenger in that car who is cooperating with officers.
Watch the moment police took the shooting suspect into custody:
Walmart has issued a statement regarding the incident:
"Customer and associate safety is always our top priority. We are saddened by what happened at our Hamilton store. Our thoughts at this time are with the victim's family, and we pray for our injured associate's speedy recovery. We'll continue working closely with investigators and are referring additional questions to local law enforcement," Walmart said.
WCPO will update this story with more information when it is available.
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