Active shooter threat

Walmart shutdown for caution

  • There was an active shooter threat at Walmart in the City of Grants, for safety reasons the store was evacuated. The “all clear” was given and the store was able to resume normal operations after responding police officers determined there was no threat. Diego Lopez - CC
    There was an active shooter threat at Walmart in the City of Grants, for safety reasons the store was evacuated. The “all clear” was given and the store was able to resume normal operations after responding police officers determined there was no threat. Diego Lopez - CC

CITY OF GRANTS, N.M. – Schools across Grants, N.M. were put on a shelter-inplace order after the Walmart on 1500 Roberts Road evacuated its shoppers out of an abundance of caution on August 24 in the afternoon.

Out of what Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace called, “an abundance of precaution in an effort to keep everyone safe,” the Walmart was evacuated of all shoppers, employees stood off to the side of the building as officers from across the county stepped in to evaluate the safety risk.

Multiple phone calls have been made alleging that a shooting would occur at Walmart, according to Sheriff Mace. Due to this, when a shopper was identified as having an unconcealed sidearm, the building was put on alert and the store began to evacuate.

Three phone calls from a blocked number were made by a person with a female sounding voice alleging a shooting would occur at the store. Grants Police Department will be following up on this incident.

CCSO, Grants Police Department, New Mexico State Police and the Cibola County Emergency Manager secured the scene with assistance from Grants Fire and Rescue and Superior Ambulance. Responders found no weapons inside the building, or any armed individuals. Because no threat could be located, the agencies debriefed and left the store at 1:17 p.m. as the “all clear” was given and Walmart was deemed secure.