AMARILLO, TX (KFDA) - A Walmart employee upset over a missed
promotion took his manager and another employee hostage Tuesday before he was
fatally shot by police, according to the Amarillo Police Department.
Authorities have identified the employee as 54-year-old
Mohammad Moghaddam, and cited the promotion dispute as a strong motive for the
hostage situation that eventually led to his death.
An early investigation has led police to believe that
Moghaddam entered the store located near I-27 and Georgia around 11 a.m. and
fired at least one gunshot toward the ceiling. He then forcibly took the
manager into an office in the back of the store, possibly belonging to the
second employee who was held hostage.
Shortly after, multiple police agencies from across the area
quickly responded to the scene. Personnel from APD, Department of Public
Safety, the Randall County Sheriff's Office and others blocked off the
surrounding area to motorists as they secured the area.
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SWAT officers entered the Walmart shortly after noon and
found one of the hostages uninjured near the office. The tactical team made
their way inside of the office and reportedly found an armed Moghaddam and the
manager inside. Moghaddam was then shot by two SWAT officers and is believed to
have died immediately.
Neither of the hostages suffered injuries.
Officials say the two SWAT officers have been placed on
administrative leave per normal protocol. Further investigation into the
incident is ongoing.
A spokesperson for Walmart released the following statement
Tuesday afternoon:
"As soon as we heard about the situation at our store
in Amarillo, Texas, we acted immediately. All customers and our two associates
who were held hostage are safe. This was a very difficult situation and we are
thankful for the quick response from law enforcement."
For customers inside the store, the situation was a sobering
reality.
Tara Aguilar said she was walking inside the Walmart when a
gunshot was fired and the store was locked down.
"I just can't believe it would happen here,"
Aguilar sad. "Whether it be an employee or whatever, I mean you just never
know what's going to happen."
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