Man shot after gun discharges inside Sarasota County Walmart

[Zorro]

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office responded Thursday morning to a reported shooting at a Walmart in Venice.

The caller reported hearing a popping noise and described a trail of blood near the bathrooms in the front of the store at 4150 S. Tamiami Trail. The Walmart was evacuated as sheriff’s deputies cleared the premises.

Deputies did not locate anyone at the store, but not long after, a man suffering from a gunshot wound was located at Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice, about eight miles from the Walmart.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, surveillance footage shows a male entering the store with a holstered gun in the waistband of his shorts. When attempting to adjust the gun in the holster, the gun discharged, striking the individual in the leg and groin area.

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/05/man-shot-after-gun-discharges-inside-venice-sarasota-county-walmart/90420056007/

I can think of better ways to spend a morning at Walmart instead of shooting myself in the "groin area"...

[NoRethugFriends]

1. Shame he didn't bleed out.

[ret5hd]

2. "Gotta be prepared to protect my DoubleStuff Oreos!"

[justaprogressive]

3. You bet!

[lpbk2713]

4. Big stupid.

I'm glad he didn't hurt any normal people.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. So ... what's the best way to stop an inept guy with a gun ? A really competent guy with a gun ? nt

[twodogsbarking]

6. Gun shot in aisle two. Clean up in aisle two.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

7. To be honest...

Venice is fairly redneck-y, so no surprise here. I am kind of surprised it didn’t happen in somewhere even worse, like Arcadia (rodeo town), Port Charlotte, or other parts inland. (I’m in Sarasota, which is more expensive and our rednecks are less countrified… *eyeroll* )