Stabbing incident temporarily closes Walmart

PONDERAY — Teamwork and a quick response ensured a stabbing incident over the weekend at the city's Walmart ended peacefully for all concerned, Ponderay Police officials said Monday.

Shortly after noon Sunday, local law enforcement were notified that a male had stabbed himself near the front of the Walmart, Ponderay Police Chief Jimmy Cornelius said. Within two minutes of the call, officers from the Ponderay and Sandpoint police departments and Bonner County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene.

A deputy and Ponderay officer were able to make contact with the individual and separate him from other customers. Shoppers and employees were directed away from the situation and the store was temporarily closed.

Once the situation was defused, Cornelius said the male was transported to Bonner General Health in Sandpoint with non-life-threatening injuries for treatment.

No other civilians or officers were injured in the incident, Cornelius told the Daily Bee.

Ponderay Police officials said Sunday that the man did not threaten anyone at the store during the incident.

"He told the people he wasn't planning on hurting anybody else," Ponderay Police Corporal Cameron Simeral said Sunday shortly after the incident ended. "We responded and he surrendered peacefully, and now he's getting care."

Cornelius said a quick response by store employees and local law enforcement ensured a successful outcome.

"A quick response by the Bonner County Sheriff's Office, Sandpoint Police Department, Ponderay Police Department as well as the great teamwork involving Walmart employees and customers allowed the incident to be handled safely and end without further injury," Cornelius said in a statement.

The store was evacuated and closed for roughly an hour with Walmart employees stationed at all doors to tell shoppers that the store was closed.

Customers in the store said they were asked to leave immediately and escorted from the store. One customer, who would only identify herself as Christina, said she had an oil change scheduled but when she arrived there was no one around. Inside, she said she walked past abandoned baskets and grocery carts left in the aisles by shoppers.

"There was nobody anywhere and as I kept walking through, there was still nobody anywhere," the woman said.

Corporate Walmart officials did not comment on the incident, instead directing media to contact local law enforcement for information.

Ponderay Police thanked Walmart employees and customers for how they responded to the incident, saying it made their jobs easier and ensured a successful outcome in Sunday's stabbing.

"The employees issued clear instructions that were carried out smoothly by customers," Ponderay Police officials posted in a statement to the department's Facebook page. "This allowed officers to address the matter at hand in the most effective and efficient manner possible. 

The department also thanked neighboring law enforcement for their assistance and quick response.

"Partnership and great teamwork between the various agencies highlight each of our departments' dedication to public safety," the officials said in the department's post.