Witnesses say he had a gun and authorities say he was making threats.
A witness who preferred to go by the name “Melanie” said, “It was a little bit like your gut just kind of goes up into your throat for a second.”
Melanie filmed video of people evacuating Walmart was inside the store when she saw police with rifles telling shoppers to get out. She’s scared to share her identity and real voice.
“They came in and they said, ‘It would be for everybody’s safety if you leave Walmart immediately.’ And they hollered and yelled at everybody,” Melanie said.
Federal Way police say a man walked into the Walmart with what looked like a gun, making threatening statements. But they have not elaborated on what he said.
Witnesses say the man was in the sporting goods section when he set the gun on a display counter and he was talking to himself.
Melanie said, “Why did he take it out and set it on a counter for everyone to see and just walk around holding it in his hand clear as day talking to himself? Scared a lot of people.”
Police say no shots were fired, but the man got away.
After a gunman massacred 22 people at Walmart in El Paso just days ago, no one is taking this lightly.
“That’s really terrifying, the not knowing if you could die at any moment or if someone could just randomly shoot you, you never know,” Melanie said.
Investigators are working to determine what they will charge the suspect with if he is found.
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