McKinney fire chief injured in Princeton Walmart stabbing

McKinney fire chief injured in Princeton Walmart stabbing

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Brandon Todd reports.By: FOX4News.com Staff
POSTED:JUL 13 2016 05:16PM CDT
UPDATED:JUL 14 2016 07:37AM CDT


PRINCETON - An off-duty McKinney fire battalion chief was one of two people stabbed at a Walmart in Princeton Wednesday afternoon.

The incident happened at the Walmart on Highway 380 in Princeton around 4 p.m. Sources said Walmart employee Nicolas Martinez became disgruntled, came up behind McKinney Battalion Fire Chief George Cook and slit his throat.

The other victim was Fredrick Oswald, an independent contractor for Walmart. Both were transported to a local hospital and both are expected to be okay. Cook had surgery overnight.


http://static.lakana.com/media.fox4n...962_ver1.0.jpgMcKinney fire chief injured in Princeton Walmart stabbing


Martinez, 20, was arrested shortly after the stabbing without incident. Police believe he randomly picked his victims and that Cook and Oswald were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A spokesperson for Walmart sent the following statement to FOX 4:

"Today's events are deeply troubling. Our thoughts are with everyone who was a part of this terrible situation. We are thankful to the first responders for their quick action, and we are continuing to work closely with the police. The associate who did this was arrested and his employment at our store was immediately terminated."

The Walmart remained closed for the rest of the day as hazmat crews worked to clean the store.

As the evacuation was taking place after the stabbing, an off-duty Dallas police officer who lives near the area started helping first responders get employees and customers out of the store. The officer had just left one of the funerals for the fallen officers.

"Our professions don't really stop at boundaries. It goes across state lines across nationwide,” said Princeton Police Chief James Waters. “It was really heartfelt and miraculous to be able to see the efforts and work ethic and everybody coming together as a team to really handle this thing out.”

http://www.fox4news.com/news/173675719-story