2 police officers shot, suspected gunman killed at Arkansas Walmart

Security officials working at the Walmart on Deaderick Road in Forrest City called police to report a man acting strangely and threatening people in the store, according to WHBQ. Two officers who responded confronted the man, who then pulled out a gun and shot both officers, authorities said.

The officers returned fire, striking and killing him, St. Francis County Sheriff Bobby May said. He identified the slain suspect as Bobby Joe Gibbs.

Authorities told WHBQ that one of the injured officers, identified as Detective Eugene Watlington, had been shot four times. He was taken to Regional One Health in Memphis, where he was last listed in critical condition, authorities said.

Lt. Eric Varner was also shot and taken to Forrest City Medical Center for treatment, WHBQ reported.

Walmart officials said in a statement that they were aware of the situation and working to assist police in their investigation.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin said shootings like the one reported Monday “demonstrate the dangers our law enforcement officers face every day to keep us safe.”

The shooting is the second this month reported inside a Mid-South Walmart. Last week, shots rang out inside a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Memphis, leaving one person injured.

The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.