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Update: Man who caused Walmart evacuation turns over .22 caliber pistol, cited for disorderly conduct

The store was closed between 9:30 a.m. and approximately 10:15 a.m. as police investigated.
WB supercenter

Update: 

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — Police confirm that the Walmart on West Agency Road in West Burlington was evacuated today after reports said a man claimed he was going to shoot people.

Police said that an employee said they overheard the man making the claims and the store was evacuated. Several area police agencies responded.

The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.

Through video, he was later identified as 59-year-old Michael Wills of Burlington, and contacted him by phone. He agreed to talk to police.

Wills said he was angry about a traffic accident that he was nearly involved in and was talking to himself loudly when a customer overheard him and reported the incident to an employee.

Wills also voluntarily turned over a .22 caliber pistol that he was licensed to carry. Wills was cited for disorderly conduct and released on his own recognizance.

Original Story:

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — A Walmart Supercenter store in West Burlington was evacuated and briefly closed after police responded to a possible threat of a man with a gun on Thursday, May 17.

According to West Burlington Police, an employee of the store on West Agency Road overheard a man say he planned on shooting people in the store shortly before 9:30 a.m. The store was evacuated and 911 was called.

By the time police had arrived, the suspect who made threats had left the store. He was described as a white male with a heavy build wearing a green tank top. Employees did not report seeing a weapon.

Police are continuing to investigate. The store was re-opened at 10:12 a.m.

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