KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Sevierville police said two people have been detained after a reported gunman at the Walmart on the Parkway. The call came Wednesday afternoon as an “active shooter,” police said.
According to a manager of the nearby Chick-Fil-A store, dozens of people were rushed from Walmart on Wednesday just after 3:30 p.m.
Cody Cummings told WVLT News Anchor Amanda Hara that between 20 and 30 Walmart shoppers were safe at the Chick-Fil-A store he manages. The restaurant is next to the Walmart. Cummings said a civilian safe haven in his store reported a fight between two men in which one of the men pulled out a gun. People in the neighborhood became alarmed, which led to panic.
Cummings said one of his employees was at the Walmart when customers were warned through the loudspeaker that a man with a gun was walking through the store.
Cummings reported that a SWAT team had been set up in the area, apparently looking for the possible shooter.
WVLT tried to contact the Walmart store, but no one answered the phone lines. A WVLT News crew arrived on the scene.
Tanger Outlets in Sevierville was also shut down on Wednesday afternoon, but officials said they believed there was a threat on the mall’s campus.
Authorities could not immediately release information as to whether anyone had been injured.
Copyright 2020 WVLT. All rights reserved.