5 injured in Mount Vernon Walmart shooting

5 people injured in Mount Vernon Walmart shooting

According to police, two groups of people got into a fight and shots rang out.

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - A shooting inside a Walmart in Mount Vernon left five people injured Sunday night, police said.

Before 10 p.m., officers responded to a "weapon offense" at the Walmart at 2301 Freeway. According to police, the people who reported the incident said shots were fired inside the store.

Dylan Howard was at Walmart with his two young daughters and puppy. He said he was checking out when he heard the gunfire and immediately grabbed his children to escape.

"After the first few pops, nobody was running or anything, nobody was screaming. So, I didn’t really think anything of it. Maybe 5-10 seconds later is when I heard four more pops and then everyone was just running, screaming," said Howard.

Police said a group of men arrived went inside the store, had an altercation with another group of men and shots were fired.

"You see so many people and it’s like ‘well if there’s a shooter, which person? It could have been that person, that person.' So, I’m constantly like this," said Howard as he swiveled his head.

Five people were taken to Skagit Valley Hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Police said a 72-year-old customer, a 24-year-old employee and three 19-year-old men were injured. The customer, employee and one of the 19-year-olds were transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. As of Monday afternoon, their conditions are not known.

Investigators believe what led up to the shooting was between the two groups, and there was no indication that the group went into the store intending an active threat situation.

"I gotta tell you, I’m so tired of shootings. And I think now we’re just getting used to shootings. We just take our odds," said Sue Wren, a frequent Walmart customer. "I’m always looking, always. But it’s a throw of the dice. I don’t know who’s going to shoot next. I just don’t."

"I didn’t even know if I wanted to come in here today. That scares me. You hear about all this stuff happening everywhere else but not in Mount Vernon," said Julie Mendenhall, a Walmart customer.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who saw the incident or has information are asked to call the 24-hour dispatch information number (360) 428-3211 or during business hours call the Mount Vernon Police Department at (360) 336-6271.