(CNN) A sheriff's deputy and two civilians are being treated for serious injuries at a hospital after a suspected shoplifter opened fire at a Walmart in Sterling, Virginia, northwest of Washington, D.C., authorities said Saturday. The incident began when two loss prevention officers at Walmart allegedly observed a man stealing items from the store and attempted to escort him into an office, according to a statement from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. During a struggle, the suspect pulled a gun from his waistband and allegedly started shooting, hitting both loss prevention officers and one of the two deputies, according to the sheriff's office. Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman spoke to reporters about Saturday's shooting at a Walmart in Sterling, Virginia. "I don't know what the injuries were, certainly not severe enough to keep him from running and jumping into a truck and driving away," Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman said.

Source: CNN January 03, 2021 05:37 UTC