Philly man charged in chaotic Walmart shooting
P H I L A D E L P H I A— A Philadelphia man who police say “indiscriminately” fired a handgun inside a crowded Walmart, wounding five people, has been charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder.
Keenan Jones, 30, was arraigned on those charges Wednesday morning in district court in Cheltenham Township, Pa., a few miles from where the chaotic scene unfolded hours earlier. He is also accused of assaulting and injuring two police officers during a scuffle after crashing into their vehicle near the store.
A woman who accompanied Jones to the Walmart, identified as his sister, is cooperating with investigators and does not face criminal charges at this time, according to court officials.
Jones was granted $1 million bail by Magisterial District Judge Christopher J. Cerski, who noted that Jones’ prior criminal record—which includes a felony convictions for witness intimidation—made him a flight risk.
At his arraignment, conducted remotely because Jones remained in custody at the Cheltenham Township police station, the fiber optics contractor apologized to the police officers who responded to the shooting. He said he was “hurting,” but not from injuries sustained during his arrest and the subsequent car chase into Philadelphia.
He told the judge he has mental health issues, and had felt that his life was in danger at the store.
“I need hospital help,” Jones said. “I haven’t slept in five days. I had food that had me feeling strange.”
After the hearing, Jones remained in custody in county jail, unable to post bail. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 22.
Philadelphia court records show that Jones was convicted in 2011 of gun charges, including carrying a firearm without a license. At the time, Jones was unable to legally carry a gun because of a 2009 felony conviction for witness intimidation.
The violent outburst at the Walmart began just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to a criminal affidavit filed in the case.
Surveillance video from inside the store showed Jones standing at the checkout line. He pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and fired a single round at a man standing nearby, hitting him.
“Jones then begins to run through the front of the store and is seen firing additional rounds indiscriminately as the victims, employees and customers run for safety,” the affidavit states, describing the scene as “pandemonium.”
Cheltenham Township Police Chief John Frye said at the store Tuesday that Jones had pulled the handgun from his sister’s waistband and fired at least 10 rounds in quick succession. Authorities said Jones’ sister owned the gun and was legally licensed to carry it. The shooting had been sparked by an altercation between Jones and another customer, but it was unclear what the argument was about, Frye added.
Ultimately, three people were struck by gunfire: two women and a man, all in their 40s. Two other victims were grazed by bullets, police said, and a pregnant woman was knocked to the ground during the chaos.