WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP -- A police shootout at a Wal-Mart parking lot near Wilkes-Barre over the weekend has left a lot of questions to be answered.
Authorities say they're still investigating a motive, but court papers the district attorney gave us detail the gun the suspect had, who he shot at, and how police responded.
Police say Scott Sargent of Shenandoah fired shots with an AR-15 rifle in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart near Wilkes-Barre Saturday afternoon.
An affidavit of probable cause obtained by Newswatch 16 does not show how Sargent obtained the rifle or what prompted him to start shooting,
No one was hurt. Documents show the Wal-Mart parking lot was crowded when Sargent started firing.
One bullet hit a moving police vehicle. Another hit the vehicle of a shopper who was loading his car. Police have filed six counts of attempted homicide against Sargent.
“It's frightening to think that someone could have been injured. And that is why so many charges of attempted homicide were filed,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis.
The court documents also show Sargent has a prior felony conviction and should not have had a gun.
Another incident at the same Wal-Mart happened late Monday night. The place closed an hour early. Police tell us someone from out of town made a threat against the store for poor customer service. Authorities say the two incidents are not related.
“I want people to know that they are safe shopping at Wal-Mart in Wilkes-Barre Township,” Salavantis said.
Authorities arraigned Sargent on those attempted homicide and gun charges Tuesday night in Sargent's hospital room. Police shot Sargent after he fired at them.
