Man holding machete, hammer inside Walmart surrenders peacefully after 2 hours
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Read an update with more information on the man who caused the disturbance here.
REXBURG — A mentally disturbed man holding a machete and hammer forced police to evacuate and lock down Walmart Wednesday afternoon for nearly two and a half hours.
The man in his mid-20’s, who has not been identified, took a shuttle to the store at 1450 N. 2nd East and went to the sporting goods section, according to Rexburg Police Chief Shane Turman.
At 12:13 p.m., the manager of Walmart called police to report a disturbance with the individual.
“We were informed there was a male that was wielding a machete in one hand and a hammer in another hand,” Turman told EastIdahoNews.com. “He was acting irrational and they were afraid for patrons at the store.”
Video shot by shoppers inside the store shows the man yelling incoherent statements and witnesses say “he was talking to the shelves.”
“He would not give us his name,” Turman said. “He was quite calm but then would have a change of behavior and would yell out nonsensical phrases about God and religion.”
Police and the SWAT team evacuated hundreds of shoppers and employees from the store. Many workers waited at the nearby Walmart gas station while Rexburg police negotiator Lt. Ron Ball spoke with the man.
“We told him we care what happens to you, we don’t want anything bad to happen to you and we’re here to help you,” Turman said.
Turman said the incident came to an end around 2:30 p.m. when the man put down the machete and hammer and surrendered to officers. He was taken into custody and medical professionals were meeting with him Wednesday evening.
Walmart reopened to the public around 3 p.m. and police say they are thankful the situation was peacefully resolved.
“Our goal is to end all of these things in the safest possible manner,” Turman said.
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