Scary Incident Prompts Evacuation at Ashland Walmart
ASHLAND, OH — A frightening incident at the Ashland Walmart on East Main Street triggered a rapid police response and the evacuation of customers this evening after reports of a man making alarming threats inside the store.
According to Lt. Aaron Kline of the Ashland Police Division, officers were dispatched to the Walmart at 6:45 p.m. following a 911 call reporting that a customer inside the store was shouting threats.
“We got a call out to Walmart at 6:45 p.m.,” Lt. Kline said. “A customer had said the end of the world is coming. He has a gun. He can’t wait to start taking people out.”
As officers arrived, customers were seen quickly exiting the grocery side of the store. Police immediately cleared and searched the building while other officers worked with a Walmart employee reviewing surveillance video.
“They were able to see him leave the store with his wife, get into a vehicle, and leave the area,” Kline said.
Police, Sheriff Deputies, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area, including nearby businesses, hotels, and gas stations, and continued double-checking locations as a precaution.
“We’ve checked the area — all the surrounding businesses, the hotels, gas stations, everywhere in the area has been checked,” Kline said. “I don’t believe at this time there’s anything out there for Ashland. We’ll keep everybody posted if we hear different.”
Lt. Kline confirmed that while the individual allegedly claimed to have a gun, it is not yet confirmed whether a weapon was actually displayed.
“I don’t know that he brandished a weapon,” Kline said. “He said that he has a gun and can’t wait to start taking people out. We’re not far enough along to know that for sure yet. This is the beginning stages of this.”
Police said they have identified a suspect and believe the individual is from out of the area, though that information is still being verified.
Inside the store, the urgency of the evacuation was evident, with shopping carts abandoned throughout the aisles as customers rushed to exit.
The Ashland Police Division emphasized there is no known ongoing threat to the community at this time and said updates will be provided if additional information becomes available.
