KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WVLT) – Sevierville police said two people were detained after a gunman reported to Walmart on the parkway. The call came on Wednesday afternoon as an “active shooter,” police said.
Dozens of people were rushed out of Walmart just after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to a manager of the nearby Chick-Fil-A store.
Cody Cummings told WVLT News Anchor Amanda Hara of between 20 and 30 Walmart customers, sheltering safely inside the Chick-Fil-A store she runs. The restaurant is next to Walmart. Cummings said a civilian safe inside his store reported a fight between two men that led to one of the men pulling out his gun. People nearby were alarmed, which caused panic.
Cummings said one of his employees was at Walmart when customers were alerted by the speaker that a man with a gun was moving through the store.
Cummings reported that a SWAT team had been set up in the area, apparently looking for a possible gunman.
WVLT tried to reach the Walmart store, but no one answered the phone lines. A WVLT News crew headed to the scene.
The Tangier Outlets in Sevierville was also closed on Wednesday afternoon, but officials said they believed there was a threat on the mall’s campus.
Authorities were unable to immediately release any information as to whether anyone was injured.
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