Columbia Police officers blocked off the Walmart parking lot with crime scene tape shortly after 7 p.m. Customers inside the store were evacuated through a side door into the parking lot at around 7:13 p.m. One Walmart employee told an ABC 17 News reporter on scene that staff could leave, except those in the grocery section. CPD confirmed there were shots fired; however, police could not confirm if there were victims or if a suspect was in custody. Eight Columbia Police cars and two University of Missouri ambulances were in the parking lot during the response; one ambulance left with its lights on around 6:55 p.m.