What Happened at the Evergreen Park Walmart Shooting

The shooting began just before 3 p.m. at the Walmart located at 2500 W. 95th Street, a busy commercial area near 95th and Western Avenue. According to police reports:

• The suspect arrived in a gray Hyundai, exited the vehicle, and chased the 23-year-old male victim into the store while firing multiple shots.
• The shooting started outside and continued inside the store, sending panicked shoppers scrambling for cover.
• The 70-year-old woman was likely struck outside by a deflected bullet, unrelated to the confrontation.

Witnesses described chaos as gunfire echoed through the aisles. Despite the crowd, no additional injuries were reported — a testament to the rapid police and emergency response.

Police Response and Swift Arrest

The Evergreen Park Police Department, assisted by nearby law enforcement agencies, quickly arrived on the scene after receiving reports of an active shooter. Officers cleared the store, secured the area, and located the victims for immediate medical aid.

Shortly afterward, police discovered the suspect hiding in a yard in the 9300 block of Country Club Drive and arrested him without resistance. A firearm was recovered, and a gray Hyundai getaway vehicle was later found in Chicago, with several individuals detained for questioning.

Evergreen Park Police Chief Michael Saunders praised his officers’ efficiency, stating that the outcome “could have been much worse given the crowd inside Walmart.”

Victims’ Conditions and Medical Updates

• Victim 1: A 23-year-old man, believed to be the intended target, suffered five gunshot wounds to his leg. He underwent surgery at Christ Hospital; his current condition remains undisclosed.
• Victim 2: A 70-year-old woman, an innocent bystander, was hit in the foot and is recovering in good condition.

Initial confusion in early media reports (notably FOX 32 Chicago) mistakenly listed the second victim as a 23-year-old woman — an error later corrected following the official police press release.

Suspect and Motive Under Investigation

Police confirmed that the suspect and the male victim knew each other, suggesting a personal dispute escalated into violence. However, no motive has been publicly confirmed, and charges are pending as investigators review surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence.

Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact Evergreen Park Police at (708) 422-2144.

Community and Public Safety Impact

The incident rattled residents of Evergreen Park, a typically quiet Chicago suburb. Witnesses described hearing “five or six shots” before running for cover. Videos shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) showed heavy police presence and emergency vehicles swarming the Walmart parking lot.

While Walmart has declined to comment, the store remained closed for evidence processing throughout the evening. The event has reignited discussions about gun violence in public spaces and retail security preparedness.

Chief Saunders emphasized:

“Our response prevented what could have been a far more tragic outcome. We’re grateful for the cooperation of our neighboring agencies and the community.”

Media and Source Verification

To ensure accuracy, this report cross-references multiple sources, including:

• Evergreen Park Police Department official press release
• CBS Chicago, NBC Chicago, ABC7 Chicago, and FOX 32 Chicago reports

Aside from minor discrepancies in victim age and hospital details, the outlets consistently confirmed the targeted nature of the attack and the swift arrest of the suspect.

Final Thoughts

The Evergreen Park Walmart shooting is a sobering reminder of how quickly personal disputes can endanger innocent lives in public settings. Thanks to the quick action of law enforcement, tragedy was contained — but the community remains on edge as investigations continue.