HCSO says the shooting happened during a fight among four women at a Walmart in northeast Harris County.
HOUSTON — Charges have now been filed against the Walmart employee accused of shooting another woman during a fight inside a northeast Harris County store.
Court documents identify the employee as 22-year-old Breshaun Manuel, who is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors are asking she be held on a $60,000 bond, though no court appearance has been scheduled yet.
What investigators say happened
The shooting happened around 3 p.m. Thursday at the Walmart along the Sam Houston Tollway and Wilson Road near Atascocita Forest, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Major Joseph A. Blendermann with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said several women — including Manuel — were involved in a scuffle that stemmed from prior disagreements. He said three of the women went to the store to complain to management about the employee.
An officer added that “the other three females, I think, came to complain to management about her, nothing to do with Walmart.”
Manuel saw them and followed them into the parking lot, where the fight began, according to HCSO. The confrontation then moved back inside near the cash registers, where investigators say Manuel pulled out a gun and fired shots at one of the women.
Deputies said the shooting was not random. When they arrived minutes later, Manuel immediately surrendered to law enforcement with her hands raised. She was booked into the Harris County Jail on Thursday.
Victim’s condition
The woman who was shot was taken to the hospital in stable condition with at least one gunshot wound to the arm, investigators said.
The Walmart was closed for several hours while deputies investigated.
Witness describes chaos
KHOU 11 spoke to a man who was inside shopping when the shooting happened. Andra Spencer said he was in the automotive section when he heard a gunshot.
“Next thing I know, I hear a gunshot and they say, ‘Run to the back! Run to the back!’” Spencer said. “As soon as we heard the shots everyone started running. That’s the only thing I thought of, that I wasn’t going to come out.”
Spencer said he fell to the ground and was injured during the chaos. He has since hired a lawyer and intends to sue Walmart, claiming the store failed to keep customers safe.
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