Police say 64-year-old Fort Oglethorpe Walmart employee, Luther Lawson pulled a gun on a customer on Sunday, Easter morning.

According to officials, Lawson was upset when he thought he was being overcharged for tomatoes. While checking out, Lawson went to grab the price display for them and in the process, assaulted a woman. Police say he reached under the woman’s arm and possibly touched her inappropriately. Although it is unclear whether Lawson intentionally touched the woman, police do not believe he groped her. That woman was there with her husband and a 3-year-old child and officials say the husband and Lawson had an argument over the matter.

Police say the husband pushed Lawson, in return, Lawson pulled a 9 millilmeter, loaded gun out of his holster and threatened to shoot.

At that time, police say Walmart employees and witnesses rushed to the scene and were able to calm Lawson. By the time authorities arrived, Lawson is said to have put his gun back into his holster. Lawson produced a valid permit to carry, given by Catoosa County.

Police say Lawson is an employee at Walmart but has been put on leave for a medical disability or injury that occurred while working.

Lawson faces charges for aggravated assault and battery. More charges are pending on the outcome of the investigation.

The officer who was first on the scene, Patrolman Mitchell Moore, is the same officer who was shot during a shoot out at the Chik-fil-a in Fort Oglethorpe, 2 years ago. He says every situation he’s called to where there are guns reminds him of that scary incident.

 

http://www.newschannel9.com/news/lawson-1000551-police-say.html