Alleged Walmart shooter says he was fired that day; bond set at $500k
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The man accused of starting a shootout with a shopper at Walmart in Cordova last week was in court Monday morning.
Tamarris Hopkins told the judge he had been fired from Walmart on Friday, before getting into an argument with a customer that led to a shootout that injured the shopper.
“I got fired the day of the incident,” Hopkins told Judge Shelia Renfroe when he took the stand Monday.
Hopkins, 23, had his bond set to $500,000 after being charged with attempted second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault, employing a firearm with intention to commit a felony, and reckless endangerment.
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Memphis Police say the gunfire started after Hopkins yelled at a shopper asking him what he was looking at. The two then started arguing, and Hopkins reportedly punched the shopper in the face.
Both the shopper and Hopkins began firing shots; the shopper was shot three times and transported to Regional Hospital in critical condition.
Hopkins turned himself in hours after the incident. Now, he will be appointed a public defender for this case.
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WREG reached the shopper who was shot, by phone Monday. He did not want to give an official statement but said he was shot nine times and was still in the hospital awaiting surgery.
He said he’s blessed to be alive, but upset that Hopkins wasn’t escorted off the property by Walmart security after he was terminated.
Hopkins’ father was in court Monday. WREG tried to speak with him but he declined.
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