Suspect shot dead in Walmart parking lot during 'shop with a cop' event

A suspect was shot dead in a car park of a Walmart while a "shop with a cop" event was taking place inside, West Virginia police have said. Two officers from two unspecified agencies were involved in the shooting on Sunday afternoon (11 December).

A West Virginia State Police statement seen by the Associated Press said that the officers were attempting to execute a bailpiece for felony offences on the suspect but shots were fired after the suspect allegedly "operated a motor vehicle in an aggressive manner toward officers".

The suspect was shot and later pronounced dead. Deputies from Marion County Sheriff's Department arrived at the scene from the "shop with a cop" event after hearing gunshots from inside the Walmart.

"Shop with a cop" is a programme that sees unprivileged children given a small amount of money to buy Christmas gifts for their immediate family, escorted by police officers.

Investigations into the incident by the West Virginia State Police are still ongoing and the names of the suspect and officers involved have yet to be released.