UPDATE 3:30PM AM, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
In a chilling incident that left shoppers reeling, the Clewiston Walmart experienced a violent outburst Friday night, leading to an urgent evacuation of customers with their hands raised in surrender.
Jiren Tyleak Thicklin, a 21-year-old resident of Harlem, was identified as the perpetrator after allegedly discharging his firearm during a dispute in the men’s clothing department of the store. Witnesses report that the altercation began over a clearance item, escalating quickly in a way that few could have anticipated.
Harlem, a tightly-knit neighborhood covering just one square mile in the city’s southwestern edge, finds itself grappling with yet another violent episode. Thicklin’s decision to brandish a weapon transformed an ordinary shopping trip into a terrifying scene, as he fired 5-6 shots in the direction of fellow customers. Miraculously, no injuries were reported, a fact that speaks to both luck and the responsive nature of law enforcement shown that night.
Store surveillance footage captured Thicklin in the act, pointing his Glock 22 at a nearby woman. The image of fear and chaos was abruptly punctuated by his hasty retreat through the aisles, but a sharp-eyed Hendry County deputy apprehended him just moments later in the automotive section, preventing what could have been a much worse outcome.
The rapid response of law enforcement underscores the seriousness with which they treat such events, calling in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to thoroughly investigate the crime scene. Thicklin now faces two counts of attempted murder, and he has been remanded to the Hendry County Jail as the community seeks answers and reassurance in the wake of this distressing event.
UPDATE 12:15AM, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
For complete coverage of this alarming shooting, tune in to community correspondent Anvar Ruziev’s updates.
BREAKING: Shooting at Clewiston Walmart
In the aftermath, the scene remained active well into the night, with numerous officers securing the perimeter, ensuring the safety of any remaining personnel.
Casualties were minimal, but the impact of such an incident ripples through the community. Shoppers began to share their experiences online, recounting the moment the gunfire erupted. Many were left shaken, grappling with the stark reality of gun violence that has seeped into even the most mundane aspects of daily life.
UPDATE: 8:50PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Watch as shoppers evacuate during the active shooter incident at Clewiston Walmart
Solace is scarce in moments like these, but it is heartening to see the community come together in solidarity. Eyewitness footage captured the chaotic evacuation, an unsettling reminder of how quickly safety can be compromised.
Correspondent Anvar Ruziev continues to gather viewer perspectives and video snippets of the harrowing night, providing a platform for those who experienced the emergency firsthand to share their stories.
UPDATE: 8:20PM, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Clewiston Police Chief Thomas Lewis confirmed the chaos erupted shortly after 6:30 PM. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries and the suspect was swiftly apprehended. The police are diligently interviewing witnesses, piecing together the story that unfolded. Their ongoing investigation, communicated through the department’s Facebook page, instills a sense of urgency while urging calm among community members.
FOX 4 will keep this story active on their platform as updates unfold. The time taken to assure the public often matters more than the specifics of the confrontations themselves.
ORIGINAL REPORTING
A concerned viewer informed FOX 4 about the alarming scene unfolding at the Walmart on US-27 near Berner Road. Responding deputies quickly confirmed they were on the case, assuring the public that the suspect was in custody.
Amidst rumors of potential injuries among shoppers, investigators are working diligently to assess the situation. As they search for clarity, the community takes a collective breath. They stand together, determined that such violence does not define them or their cherished neighborhood dynamics.
