Illustration: A DeKalb County Police vehicle. Photo obtained via Wikimedia Commons

The DeKalb County Police Department provided additional information about a shooting at the Suburban Plaza Walmart that occurred on Oct. 11.

According to police, Erick Smith, 39, was arrested in the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m.

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The police report says that the suspect believed the employee was following him and “took offense.” The two argued and the employee was trying to walk back inside when the suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and fired two times. The employee started running toward the store, and the suspect allegedly chased him and fired several more times. The employee was hit in the wrist, and fell at the front entrance of the store.

When the officers arrived, they noted a “large amount of blood” at the front doors of the store and said there was a trail of blood that went to the edge of the property. Police also found several shell casings.

But the employee was gone. Customers had loaded him into a truck and drove him to DeKalb Medical Center. There is possible security video of the incident, police said.

Several witnesses have questioned Walmart’s response to the crime, including the decision to keep the store open. Some also said they were on hold several minutes when they tried to call 911. A Walmart spokesperson declined to comment, referring questions to police. A message left with DeKalb County 911 was not returned.

A message from Selig Enterprises, the owner of the property, was distributed to residents living around the property via email.

“Selig Enterprises’ … primary concern is for the safety and well-being of our tenants, their employees and customers,” the company said. “We believe this to be an isolated incident but encourage everyone to remain alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. We will continue to follow developments in connection with this incident and will keep you updated as more details become available.”

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