Arizona Walmart Brawl: 1 Killed, Officer Shot, 7 Suspects Detained

One person was killed and two others, including a police officer, were wounded in a family brawl that took place in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Cottonwood, Arizona on Sunday. The officer was shot in the leg when he attempted to settle the brawl, but it was unclear who fired the shots, according to reports.

Police officials had reached the spot around midnight on Sunday after they received a call that a female employee was being assaulted by several people, believed to be from a family of eight, according to the Associated Press (AP). One of the suspects was shot dead and another was shot in the stomach, while a Walmart employee was left with a broken arm. Seven police officers suffered minor injuries, according to the AP, which cited the Arizona Department of Public Safety (ADPS).

"It was 8 on 8," Capt. Johnson from ADPS said, according to Verde News, adding: "Eventually, they were all subdued and are in custody. The officer and the man who was shot in the abdomen were flown to Flagstaff Medical Center. The officer underwent surgery and is in stable condition. There is no medical update on the suspect."

Seven people were detained in connection with the incident. They were booked under the charges, including aggravated assault, attempted homicide and obstruction, CBS News reported. The police officer underwent a surgery and is expected to recover from his wounds.

Department spokesman Bart Graves reportedly said that a Walmart employee had seen a large group in one of the store’s restrooms. One of the suspects shoved the female employee when she tried to enter. When the officers reached the parking lot, where the group had later moved, there was a struggle for the officer’s gun.

"We don't know who they are at this point," Graves said, according to CBS News, adding: "They are not cooperating."