The man who smashed the gun case at the West Des Moines Walmart Supercenter and stole several guns and ammunition is still sought by law enforcement, a West Des Moines Police Department spokesperson said Sunday.
All weapons and ammunition taken from the store at 68th St. and Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines late Saturday tonight have been recovered, but the suspected shooter is still at large, the spokesperson said.
“A Walmart guest smashed out the gun cabinet or gun case and took three guns and exited the building out the back door,” the West Des Moines police spokesperson said. “We never did find him, but we did find the weapons.”
Using K-9 trackers, helicopters and aerial flares, law enforcement officers formed a perimeter and combed the area southeast of the store 68th St. and Mills Civic Parkway after the sound of gunshots was reported after midnight.
The search was stopped about 2:30 a.m. once Walmart personnel confirmed all the weapons were accounted for.
“They got some good video of him,” the West Des Moines PD spokesperson said, “so they’ll be sending that out in the next couple of days to probably help with the public if they need it. We got a good picture of him.”
The suspect is a white male who was described by a witness as distressed, talking to himself and presenting symptoms of mental derangement.
“They’ve got a pretty good idea who it is,” the West Des Moines spokesperson said, “so they might not even need to release it till after they charge him.”
At last report, law enforcement considered the suspect armed and dangerous.
Along with the West Des Moines Police Department, law enforcement agencies responding to the incident included the Iowa State Patrol, Polk County Sheriff’s office, Dallas County Sheriff’s office, Waukee Police Department.
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” the spokesperson said. “The public information officer should be in after a bit to send out a release if that’s something they’re going to release.”
ThePerryNews.com will update this story as information becomes available.
