BATAVIA/Man with a gun reported at Walmart, store has been evacuated as police search for suspect

UPDATE: Sheriff’s Office Press Release

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident occurring at about 10:26 p.m. at the
Batavia Wal-Mart, 4133 Veterans Memorial Drive, Batavia, New York.

A male had entered the store and broke a Nintendo Switch glass display case, stealing several Nintendo Switch game consoles, during which he told a store employee that he had a gun. The suspect did not display any weapons, nor were there any accounts of anyone observing a weapon.

The Wal Mart store was evacuated until it was deemed safe by responding law enforcement. It was later confirmed that the suspect had fled the store in a vehicle prior to law enforcement’s arrival.

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Batavia City Police Department and the New York State Police.

Anyone with information relative to this incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 585-343-5000.

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12:07a.m. Employees are being allowed back into the store according to a witness on scene.

Law Enforcement agencies from Genesee County are on scene at Walmart, 4133 Veterans Memorial Drive, searching for a suspect who reportedly has a gun according to witnesses in the store and store employees.

The store has been evacuated and is closed.

The incident started about 10:30p.m.

According to a customer in the store, they heard glass breaking. “Next thing I heard was, he’s got a gun, he’s got gun. I panicked and went into a clothes rack,” says Katie.

“I saw a sheriff with a big rifle, when I seen him, I came out went right out the door with him and got in the car.”