Walmart told 41 Action News it plans to add private security to patrol the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter where a shooting occurred Sunday by end of the month.
According to a company spokesperson, it's been in the works for months.
Sunday's shooting was a gruesome sight that Wendy Macrorie said she's never seen.
A good Samaritan shot and killed a man after the man allegedly attacked a woman with a child.
Walmart employees alerted customers.
"One of the workers over the intercom said you have to wait here for five more minutes...cause they were just barricading the doors," Macrorie said.
The particular store on Maurer Road is no stranger to Shawnee police.
41 Action News obtained the Shawnee Police Department's list of addresses where officers respond the most.
As for businesses in Shawnee, this Walmart ranks first on the list for three years in a row.
In 2014, officers were called to the Supercenter 215 times.
The following year police responded 277 times.
And as of last month, cops have shown up 152 times so far this year.
"When people need help they call the police and we feel like we should respond," Major Dan Tennis, a spokesperson with the Shawnee Police Department, said.
During a recent Walmart grand re-opening in Kansas City, the company touted its security.
"I think in any retail situation you see representation of our great police forces," Josh Williams, the Walmart store director, said. “We certainly want to make sure we always create and do everything we do to create a safe shopping experience for all of our customers."
Major Tennis said the retail giant and his department keep an open dialogue about the high number of calls.
"When you have an area that draws in a lot of folks from a lot of different areas you're going to have police calls and that's why we're here," Major Tennis said.
Walmart spokesperson Brian Nick sent 41 Action News the following statement:
“In the coming weeks and months, we will continue our increased outreach to law enforcement as part of our ongoing commitment to meet our customer’s and associate’s expectations of a safe and enjoyable shopping experience. The importance of this issue is recognized at the highest levels of the company and we are investing in people and technology to support our stores. We are clear that no level of violence is acceptable in our stores and will continue to make this a key priority.”
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
