Shots Fired at Walmart on Christmas Eve as , Shoppers Flee in Panic

Police swarmed a Walmart in Wilson, North Carolina, on Christmas Eve after reports of gunfire sent frantic shoppers running for their lives.

According to the Wilson Police Department, officers rushed to the store just before noon Monday after receiving a 911 call about shots fired. In a Facebook update, authorities confirmed it was not an active shooter situation, but urged the public to stay away as they secured the scene.

“We’re asking everyone to remain clear of the area as the investigation continues,” police said in their post.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as holiday shoppers dropped their bags and bolted toward the exits. “People were screaming and running,” said one shopper who asked not to be named. “It was terrifying — nobody knew what was happening.”

Images from local outlet WRAL showed a heavy police presence, with flashing lights illuminating the crowded parking lot. At least two people were seen being loaded onto stretchers and taken away by ambulance, though officials have not confirmed the extent of any injuries.

By 1 p.m. ET, Walmart employees were reportedly allowed back into the store, though the company declined to comment. “We’re deferring to local law enforcement,” a Walmart spokesperson told Newsweek.

The incident comes on one of the busiest shopping days of the year — Christmas Eve — when stores are often packed with last-minute customers. It also follows a violent altercation at the same Wilson Walmart in February 2023, when a shooting left two people wounded and a suspect facing attempted murder charges.

Earlier in the day, police in Wilmington, another North Carolina city, responded to reports of an active shooter at a different Walmart. That case turned out to be a false alarm, officials said.

As of Monday afternoon, Wilson police said additional details would be released later. “Our detectives are working to determine exactly what happened,” one officer told reporters outside the store.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.