Four people shot in parking lot of Wal-Mart store north of Austin, Texas
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Witnesses heard gunshots in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Cedar Park, Texas, near Highway 183, on Sunday morning. Police arrested eighteen year-old Soloman Onwukaife at the scene. Four, including the gunman who had facial wounds unrelated to the shooting, are being treated for injuries after the incident. A fifth victim has been released.
Cedar Park Police Captain Mike Harmon said authorities arrived at the parking lot around 4:30 AM local time. There they arrested Onwukaife, who has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Cedar Park Wal-Mart was closed down briefly on Sunday morning; however, no staff or customers were injured.
Police have released the names of the victims, eighteen-year-old Cody McGrath, nineteen-year-old Shayne Davis, nineteen-year-old Zacharia Gietl and 22-year-old Leland McGlocklin. As-of Monday, Gietl has been released from hospital whilst the others remain in critical, but stable, condition. Police informed media the incident occurred follwing a dispute which began at a nearby party where alcohol was being served. After moving the fight to the parking lot, Onwukaife is alleged to have shot the four victims.
Onwukaife was expected to be released on Monday, after which he would immediately be jailed. Police advised media the investigation is on-going and more charges may still be filed. Specifically, Police are trying to determine if any other participants in the fight were armed.
Sources
- Ashley Goudeau. "Cedar Park police release names of shooting victims, say city is safe" — KVUE News, August 20, 2012
- Jim Gardner. "5 in Hospital After Shooting at Austin-Area Walmart; Alcohol Fueled Party to Blame?" — Christian Post, August 20, 2012
- Farzad Mashhood. "Police: Man who shot 4 people outside a Cedar Park Wal-Mart in hospital" — The Austin American-Statesman, August 19, 2012