Suspect says transgender reaction led to Hermitage Walmart shooting
A Sharon man tells Hermitage Police he shot a co-worker at Walmart who the suspect says made negative comments about his decision to undergo a transgender transformation.
A Sharon man tells Hermitage Police he shot a co-worker at Walmart who the suspect says made negative comments about his decision to undergo a transgender transformation.
Bond is set at $500,000 for Zachary T. McClimans, 22, who is charged with shooting a co-worker four times shortly before 10:30 at the Hermitage Walmart Thursday night.
According to a criminal complaint, McClimans said he recently told his co-workers at the store that he was beginning the process of changing gender from male to female.
McClimans says that Jayson Hall, a co-worker, expressed his displeasure with the decision and had made a comment to McClimans at work on Thursday.
According to the complaint, McClimans left work, but returned to Walmart Thursday night with the object of stopping Hall from threatening or hurting him.
Police say that McClimans shot Hall four times, then went to his car in the parking lot where police found him with a .38 caliber pistol.
McClimans told police he reported the perceived threats earlier to store management, which had opened an investigation into the matter.
McClimans was brought before a district magistrate on Friday for arraignment on charges of first degree criminal attempt to commit murder, second degree criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, theft and a firearms violation.
Hall was flown by medical helicopter to St. Elizabeth Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.
Chief Jewell commended officers for what he called a timely response, quick tactical thinking, coolness under extreme stress and tremendous courage.
Several police departments from the Shenango Valley and other communities assisted with containment and search of the store and interviewing witnesses and potential witnesses.
The store was closed until 4 a.m.
McClimans remains in the Mercer County Jail awaiting his next court hearing set for November 15.