Oxford’s Walmart is taking preventative measures, namely increased security, to improve the safety of community members following shootings in Southaven and El Paso, Texas, Walmart stores in recent months.
Though Walmart employees declined to comment, Oxford Police Department’s interim police chief, Jeff McCutchen, confirmed that OPD has increased its security presence at Walmart.
“We partnered with Walmart after the events in Southaven and El Paso to provide security and stability for the workers and our community,” McCutchen said.
McCutchen said that Walmart contracted a security team to increase the store’s security, hiring police officers to work security while they are off duty in their department.
Following the two deadly shootings in Southaven and El Paso, many threats have been made to Walmart stores on social media outlets, such as Reddit. McCutchen confirmed that OPD has not been provided with any firsthand threats to the Oxford area, but its officers are aware of the overall threats toward Walmart stores nationwide.
According to a CNN report, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said a Florida man threatened people to stay away from Walmart, posting: “Only 3 more days of probation left then I get my AR-15 back. Don’t go to Walmart next week.”
The New York Times reported a similar story, as a man in Missouri was arrested after walking into Walmart fully equipped in body armor, with both a handgun and a rifle. The man claimed it was only a “social experiment” to test Walmart’s acceptance of the second amendment.
In Burbank, California, a Walmart store evacuated after receiving a suspicious, possibly threatening, phone call, according to CBSN Los Angeles.
Though no firsthand threats have referenced Oxford, the local Walmart and OPD are taking precautions in the community to avoid similar situations.
