Memphis, Tenn. — One person was taken to Regional One Hospital on Friday afternoon after a shooting at Walmart in Cordova, officials confirmed.
Memphis Police responded to a shooting at the Walmart on North Germantown Parkway at 2:15 p.m. Friday. The male victim was a customer, police said. He is in critical condition.
Memphis Police say 23-year-old Tamarris Hopkins has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Hopkins has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
“It was a targeted incident. It was an altercation between two individuals that led to this shooting,” MPD spokesperson Theresa Carlson said. “This was not an active shooting.”
The shooting happened both inside and outside the store, police said. Prior to the shooting, police said the shooter was seen arguing with a woman.
According to an affidavit, the victim, his brother-in-law, and his 7-year-old son were walking into Walmart when they noticed the argument.
Hopkins allegedly yelled at the victim and his family, asking them what they were looking at.
Police say Hopkins walked over and punched the victim in the face. Hopkins then pulled out his gun, causing the victim to do the same.
The two exchanged gunfire, but the victim was shot three times.
A woman who was shopping in the store with her 9-year-old child said she heard about 10 to 15 shots go off while she was in the meat department. She started looking for an employee exit and found a stock room to hide in.
“After we got into a stock room, this man kicked one of the exit doors open,” said the woman, who didn’t want to be identified. “We didn’t know what to do. We don’t know to go out or stay in the store. We didn’t know if they were inside. At this time I just started running out with my daughter. Lost my shoe, and scraped my leg. I fell.”
She said she saw about 40 to 45 people around her run out of the store.
“It was just horrible. Horrible,” she said. “Especially when my young baby witnessed that. It’s just, it’s just terrifying. Just terrifying.”
Two employees told WREG they heard several gunshots and were told to evacuate the store. Another employee said that it happened right inside the grocery side doors.
Homeland Security is on-site with a mobile crisis unit for any victims, said City Councilwoman Jerri Green.
Walmart has provided the following statement:
“The safety of our associates and customers is our top priority. We will work closely with local law enforcement through the course of their investigation and refer any additional questions to them.”
Walmart Spokesperson
