Police Investigate Reports of Shots Fired at Columbia Walmart

Columbia police investigated reports of shots fired in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter on Grindstone Parkway Sunday evening, evacuating shoppers and asking the public to avoid the area. A substantial police response closed off the lot for several hours, and officers later escorted shoppers to their vehicles as the scene was cleared. Police have not confirmed whether anyone was injured or taken into custody; a witness reported seeing officers detain a man inside the store and said no shots were fired inside. The investigation is ongoing.