What did Tironie Sterling do? Florida Walmart employee arrested after fatally shooting customer

Tironie Sterling, a 22-year-old off-duty Walmart employee, has been charged with first-degree murder. This comes after he fatally shot a customer on Tuesday, who tried to help a female employee during a fight at a suburban Ft. Lauderdale Walmart, according to Florida law enforcement officials, CBS reported.

Sterling allegedly dropped his handgun during an argument with his said female colleague and retrieved it after the male customer came to her aid. He then shot the man multiple times with shoppers and workers fleeing for safety.

After the shooting, the 22-year-old fled the scene of the crime, however, he was arrested hours later at an apartment complex about a mile south of Walmart. He is being held without bond while awaiting his initial court appearance.

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Walmart employee shoots a customer in chest, back, and lower limbs following physical altercation

Father of two, Thierry Bastien succumbs to gunshot wounds (Image via Lunion Suite/Twitter)

Tironie Shavar Sterling, a Walmart employee in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, was off-duty on May 2, when the shooting took place. However, that day at around 2 pm, he arrived at the store located at 3001 N. State Road 7 to meet a female colleague.

As per authorities, Sterling and the other employee had an argument, which escalated into a physical fight. During the altercation, Sterling dropped his firearm on the floor and attempted to steal the woman's cell phone. As the confrontation escalated, the victim, 41-year-old Thierry Bastien, who was also in the store, stepped in to assist the woman.

This gave rise to a physical altercation involving Sterling and Bastien. During the altercation, Sterling picked up his gun and shot Bastien multiple times, killing him on the spot. The victim was in the store with his girlfriend and two of his children when he intervened to stop the fight.

Investigators discovered 10 empty 9mm bullet casings inside the Walmart store where the shooting took place. Emergency responders at the scene stated that Bastien sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, back, and lower limbs. He was airlifted to Broward Health Medical Center where he later died, NBC reported.

Although the Broward County Sheriff's Office responded to the incident, Sterling fled the scene on a scooter.

As per NBC, Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman, Carey Codd said:

"Obviously, a situation like this creates a great deal of fear in the community, especially for people who might have loved ones shopping inside this store or some of the adjoining businesses nearby as well as people working."

The incident caused major panic in the store with customers and employees running towards the exit. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported.

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Walmart to terminate Sterling's employment: Company spokesperson

Walmart spokesman Charles Crowson expressed his condolences to the victim's family and condemned the "senseless violence" that occurred, saying:

"Senseless violence like this is intolerable, and we’re heartbroken the customer who intervened in an apparent attack on one of our associates has died from his injuries. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time and will continue working with our associates, providing support as needed."

Crowson added:

"We’re grateful to law enforcement for their swift action in locating and arresting the presumed attacker, Tironie Sterling. Sterling, a store associate at our Lauderdale Lakes location, was in the store but not working a shift at the time of the attack."

Crowson further stated that Sterling is currently suspended and that steps were underway to "terminate his employment."