Police: Shooting at Colo. Walmart leaves 3 people dead

THORNTON, Colo. — Three people were killed after a shooting Wednesday night at a Colorado Walmart, authorities said.

Police reported multiple shots fired just before 6:30 p.m. MT at the Walmart in the Denver suburb of Thornton, with “multiple parties down,” according to the Thornton Police Department. They advised people to stay away from the area as dozens of emergency vehicles converged at the store.

Multiple people described hiding in the Walmart before being evacuated by police.

Thornton Police confirmed to KUSA that they had no one in custody in connection with the shooting as of late Wednesday. Detectives are reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses to get information and a description of potential suspects.

Authorities said two men were killed at the store and a woman who was taken to a nearby hospital later succumbed to her injuries.

Investigators have not released any details about the circumstances of the shooting or the identities of the victims.

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One local resident, Aaron Stephens, said he was at the self-checkout line when he heard a loud pop.

"At first I thought it was a firecracker," he said, "but it sounded more — it was louder. ... I was like, what the heck's going on? Then I heard two more shots and I freaked out and hit the ground."

Stephens said he heard a couple more shots.

"Employees were screaming," he said. "Customers were running like crazy. And I went out with everybody else."

He said he panicked, too.

"I didn't want to die," he continued. "Here's Las Vegas happening in Colorado — at that moment all I could think about was my life."

FBI, ATF agents and Aurora SWAT all responded to the scene to assist local officers.

Thornton Police tweeted to clarify a false media report of an active shooter; there is no active shooter, but there is an active crime scene being investigated.

Contributing: The Associated Press