TULSA, OK – A Walmart employee in Oklahoma was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot a coworker, according to local law enforcement. The worker, identified as Adrienne Edwards, was reportedly disciplined by her supervisors for being “disruptive” during a shift last week. Following the incident, Edwards allegedly made threats against a fellow employee.
Multiple witnesses reported overhearing Edwards’ threatening remarks, which were directed at a colleague. Upon arrival at the scene, police officers located Edwards in her vehicle near the store’s entrance.
During an interview with the police around 7:40 a.m. in the parking lot, Edwards reportedly confessed to making the threats. She is now facing charges for threatening a violent act.
This incident occurs as retailers, including Walmart, are gearing up for the busy holiday season, a period known for increased stress, retail theft, and occasional violence. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that retail workers are among the most exposed to workplace violence, particularly in convenience stores and gas stations where alcohol is sold. Consequently, the Department of Labor urges employers to take all threats seriously.
In a separate incident at a Walmart store in Beavercreek, Ohio, a man armed with a rifle entered the store and shot four people before taking his own life. Three of the victims are in stable condition, while the fourth is in critical condition. Additionally, a recent murder-suicide took place at an Anchorage, Alaska Walmart, where a man shot a woman during her lunch break.