Gunman shot dead by deputy inside Foothill Ranch Walmart store; 2 other detainees

FOOTHILL RANCH, ORANGE COUNTY (KABC) – Shots were fired at a Walmart store in Foothill Ranch after three shoppers were charged with attempting to return items they did not purchase, investigators say .

It happened at Walmart on Towne Center Drive at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, deputies received a call about suspicious activity involving three people at the store. Investigators say they may have attempted to commit fraud by returning items they did not purchase.

When deputies tried to intervene, witnesses said a man was uncooperative and pulled out a weapon – investigators say he was armed with a knife and a pistol.

That’s when the shooting happened and the man was shot.

The other two people, a man and a woman, got into a vehicle and fled, according to deputies. They were later found in Midway City about 20 miles from the store and have since been detained.

The man who was shot was rushed to hospital. Deputies say he underwent surgery on Thursday morning, although his condition is unknown.

The sheriff’s office says there are no other suspects involved and there is no immediate threat to the community. The shooting investigation involving a deputy will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.