On Tuesday, May 2, a customer at a Florida Walmart tragically lost his life after an off-duty employee shot him while he was trying to break up a fight between the employee and a female colleague.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tironie Sterling, 22, who now faces first-degree murder charges following the incident at a Fort Lauderdale Walmart.

According to investigators, Sterling entered the store to meet with a female coworker. Their encounter, however, turned into a heated argument and escalated into a physical altercation. During the scuffle, Sterling dropped his handgun and attempted to snatch the female employee’s phone.

Thierry Bastien, a 41-year-old customer, intervened to assist the female employee. Sterling then retrieved his gun and fired multiple shots at Bastien, leading to his death.

The shooting caused panic in the store as employees and customers scrambled to find safety. Responding officers from the Sheriff’s office and the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue discovered Bastien with numerous gunshot wounds and transported him to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Although Sterling initially managed to flee the scene, authorities apprehended him a few hours later.

Walmart spokesman Charles Crowson confirmed that Sterling has been suspended and the company intends to terminate his employment.

Sterling has been charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery and is currently being held without bond at the Central Broward County jail.

There have been multiple tragic incidents involving shootings at Walmart stores across the United States, highlighting the need for increased security measures and raising public safety concerns.

In February 2021, a shooting occurred in a Walmart parking lot in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, injuring one person due to an altercation between individuals.

In June 2021, a suspect opened fire in a Walmart parking lot in Springfield, Missouri, leading to an exchange of gunfire with police. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

In July 2021, a man was fatally shot in a Walmart parking lot in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

In November 2022, six people were killed in a Virginia Walmart when the store’s manager opened fire before taking his own life.

In January 2023, police reported that at least one person was injured in a shooting at a Walmart in Evansville, Indiana. The shooter was later shot and killed by officers.

On April 7, 2023, two women were arrested after shots were fired inside a Walmart in Baker, Louisiana.