According to media reports, a massive brawl at Walmart sparked an investigation by the Missouri Police Department.
The fight broke out at a Walmart in Ferguson shortly after 9pm. On Tuesday, October 11, Ferguson police told the KSDK. By the time the officers arrived, the fight was over and the people involved had fled, police said.
A Walmart spokesperson told McClatchy News, “We always prioritize the safety of our customers and employees and will work closely with local law enforcement.”
A video of the incident was posted on Facebook and Twitter. Footage showed a group of people punching and kicking each other and knocking some to the ground. Others threw objects and trampled the dead. Several people can be seen holding black metal bars used to mark off areas and video broadcasts.
Between 10 and 25 people were involved in the scuffle, some of whom likely knew each other, police told KMOV and KSDK.
The camera pans and shows people screaming and screaming and chasing each other through the self checkout area. A pair of flip flops and other items are scattered across the floor. The screaming and crushing sounds continue off the camera.
Another clip shows someone spraying a fire extinguisher and filling the air with a whitish-yellow cloud of powder. Someone throws an object and there are noises of breaking glass.
Police told KMOV that a minor incident occurred early in the night and was dealt with internally, but was escalated later.
The cause of the brawl is unknown and no arrests were made, police told KMOV. However, police said they expected Walmart to sue the people involved for property damage suffered by the store.
Ferguson is located approximately 10 miles northwest of St. Louis.