An armed Missouri man caused panic at a Springfield Walmart when he walked into the store carrying a weapon and wearing body armor, police say.
Salina Post reports that although no shots were fired, 20-year-old Dmitriy Andreychenko allegedly entered the Walmart a little after 4 p.m. and began pushing a shopping cart around while recording on his cellphone. A quick-thinking store manager pulled the alarm and told all customers to evacuate. The incident happened at the Walmart Neighborhood Market off of 3150 W. Republic Road.
A former firefighter held the man at gunpoint until police arrived shortly after.
“He walked in here, heavily armed with body armor on, in military fatigues, and caused a great amount of panic inside the store,” Springfield police Lt. Mike Lucas said, according to NBC News. “His intent was not to cause peace or comfort…He’s lucky he’s alive still, to be honest.”
The motive remains unclear, but the incident happened days after a gunman opened fire in an El Paso Walmart, killing 22 people and injuring many others.
“He did not seem surprised. He did not seem angry. He looked like he had accomplished whatever he wanted to accomplish,” said Springfield resident, Julie Belew, who witnessed the scene in Missouri, the Springfield News-Leader reports.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone present during the incident who hasn’t yet spoken with authorities is asked to please contact the Springfield Police Department at (417) 864-1810.
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[Feature Photo: Dmitriy Andreychenko/Springfield PD]
