A tragic and unsettling event unfolded at a Walmart Supercenter in Lumberton, North Carolina, on Friday afternoon. A 42-year-old woman, Brandy Nicole Olson, was fatally shot while standing in line, caught in the middle of a violent incident involving a teenager trying to settle a score.
According to police, 17-year-old Ezekiel Burden from Lumberton is suspected of opening fire inside the store, aiming at two individuals he appeared to know. Unfortunately, Olson, who was also waiting at the Woodforest Bank located inside Walmart, was struck by the gunfire. Police believe Olson was not the intended target.
Burden is currently on the run and is wanted for first-degree murder, discharging a firearm to incite fear, and other related charges. His alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Brian Campbell, is also being sought by authorities for acting as an accessory after the fact. The two reportedly fled the scene, leaving the community on edge just days before the holidays.
Shoppers who were inside Walmart at the time described a terrifying scene. Cellphone footage shared on social media captured the sound of at least six gunshots ringing out near the front of the store, close to the bank.
One shopper, Kayleann Brooke, shared her experience online, expressing how frightening the ordeal was. “The scariest thing I have ever experienced!” she wrote, adding that she’s grateful to be safe and that her children weren’t with her. “My heart and prayers go out to everyone involved and the family of the victim.”
Another witness, Steven Rumsey, said it appeared that Olson was trying to escape when she was tragically hit by the gunfire. “When he started shooting, the lady ran in front of him,” Rumsey explained.
The Lumberton Police Department confirmed that Olson was simply checking out when the shots were fired. “As gunshots were fired, the victim, who was waiting in line, was struck and killed,” they stated in an update.
The shooting has left the local community shaken. City Councilman John Cantey Jr. said his office has been inundated with calls from concerned residents who are now hesitant to go shopping. “Our citizens are afraid. They are fearful this holiday season. And it is a tragedy,” he said, extending prayers to Olson’s family.
As authorities continue to search for Burden and Campbell, the incident serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the unexpected dangers that can occur in everyday places. Residents of Lumberton are left grappling with fear and sadness, hoping for justice and a return to safety during this already stressful holiday season.
