COLUMBIA, S.C. – (WIS/Gray News) An off-duty police officer disarmed a man inside a Walmart in South Carolina after a street assault on Sunday, WIS reported.
Surveillance footage from inside the store and conversations with two off-duty officers who were inside the store revealed that two men got into an argument in the Walmart parking lot.
The scuffle continued inside the store, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
An unidentified man was punching 26-year-old Jefferson Holliday in the back when Forest Acres Police Officer Trayvon Warren, who was at the store with his family, intervened, a sheriff’s spokesperson said.
Investigators said Warren initially subdued the unidentified suspect and broke up the assault.
Holliday then pointed a gun at the officer and the unknown man and began walking toward them, officials said.
Warren said he got between the two men, took Holliday’s gun and restrained her until Richland County deputies arrived.
At this point, the original aggressor, an unidentified man, fled.
Another off-duty Department of Protection employee helped Warren lower the gun and held Holliday down until officers arrived.
Forest Acres Police say all of this happened near the produce section.
“I was there with my family when the situation turned violent. Along with my own instincts to protect my family and community, I was able to rely on my training to de-escalate the situation. Call it location, right timing, or divine intervention, but I’m just thankful that this ended with no shots fired and all the innocent bystanders unharmed. No matter how bad it is, no life is worth living,” Warren said in a statement.
No shots were fired, and neither the suspect nor the officers involved were seriously injured.
Forest Acres Police Chief Don Robinson praised Warren’s actions in a statement, saying, “We are so proud to have him as a FAPD officer. This was so heroic. I’m willing to serve and protect you no matter what happens. It’s truly a lifesaver.”
Deputies said the Walmart was briefly closed, but no evictions occurred.
Calls to the sheriff’s department initially suggested there was a shooting at Walmart, but upon arrival, deputies quickly realized that was not the case.
Holliday is charged with pointing and presenting a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and aggravated breach of peace.
Deputies are still searching for the unknown man.
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