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2 hurt in Evergreen Park Walmart shooting, suspect in custody, police say

Evergreen Park police said two people were hurt in a shooting in a Walmart store on Wednesday afternoon. 

Police Chief Michael Saunders said the suspect was dropped off at the store, located at 2500 W. 95th St., just before 3 p.m., and went in as the victim was also walking into the store. The two men then got into an argument, the suspect pulled out a gun and opened fire, police said. 

Responding officers cleared the store and found two victims with gunshot wounds.

The victim, a 23-year-old man, was struck at least five times in the leg. He was taken to Christ Hospital in unknown condition, but Saunders said he was taken into surgery.

A 70-year-old woman, who was outside the store, was also taken to the hospital after being struck by gunfire in the foot. Saunders said he believes that the woman may have been struck by a ricocheting bullet and was an innocent bystander.

Police said that while the man was walking into the store, the suspect got out of a gray Hyundai and chased the victim while shooting.

A customer who was inside the store at the time of the shooting said she was just going to shop and never expected to experience a shooting at the store.  

"I heard gunshots, and that's when I was running for cover, and everybody was scattering everywhere. Just running and that was it. That's all I heard was bow, bow, bow, gunshots," she said. 

No other gunshot injuries were reported, police said. 

The suspect ran out the back of the Walmart after the shooting, Saunders said. He was found a short time later hiding in a yard in the 9300 block of Country Club Drive, after the homeowner spotted him and called the police. 

The vehicle that had dropped the suspect off at the store was located about five miles away in Chicago, and Chicago police are gathering evidence from it, Evergreen Park police said. While they are investigating that vehicle, Saunders said it was not clear who was driving it or if they had anything to do with the shooting.

CBS News reached out to Walmart about the shooting. A spokesperson for the company said, "At this time, we are deferring any additional questions to law enforcement as this is an active investigation."

The investigation remains ongoing. Charges against the suspect are pending. 

Anyone with additional information about the shooting is asked to contact the Evergreen Police Department at 708-422-2144. 

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