Police: At least 1 hostage taken at Amarillo Walmart

Officers responding to a reported shooting at a Wal-Mart store in Amarillo on Tuesday shot and likely killed a man who had taken at least one person hostage, according to police.

The Amarillo Police Department released a brief statement saying people inside the store were safe and described the incident as a “workplace violence event.” The department said the suspect was shot and “is apparently dead,” though no details have been provided. No other injuries were reported.

Police said officers responded to the scene late Tuesday morning amid reports that an armed person was at the store and may have had hostages. Police later said officers made their way inside the store, a police SWAT crew shot the suspect and there was “no shooting ongoing at this moment.”

No details were released about the suspect or what may have prompted the incident. Police urged residents to avoid the area.

Police Sgt. Brent Barbee said in an email later Tuesday that “one or more hostages” were taken by a male suspect during the incident. He didn’t respond to emails seeking additional information.

Wal-Mart spokesman Brian Nick released a statement saying store associates and customers were safe. Nick thanked officers, saying: “This was a very difficult situation and we are thankful for the quick response from law enforcement.”

Authorities said the investigation was ongoing in Amarillo, a city in the Texas Panhandle. Some nearby streets were closed as a precaution during the incident, including an off ramp to Interstate 27. The city released a statement earlier in the day, saying only that emergency officials were on the scene of an “active shooter incident.”