Man Arrested After Shooting at Walmart Shoplifter

Heroism is a thankless calling. Consider the plight of Jose Martinez. He was trying to do his civic duty by stopping a shoplifter, and he got arrested for his trouble. It all started when security guards caught 42-year-old Eddie McKee allegedly shoplifting groceries from a Florida Walmart. McKee ran for it, knocking a woman over in the process. From here, accounts differ. Martinez tells WKMG that he pulled out his gun to defend himself from the shoplifter. "He tried to run me over," he says.

But police say that story doesn't jibe with security videos or witness statements. One 911 caller reported seeing Martinez run to McKee's car, pull open the door, point his gun at McKee and yell, "Freeze, freeze, don't move!" McKee sped off, and Martinez fired after him, hitting his trunk, his back window, and at least two other cars. McKee says he fired those shots to mark the car for police. Police have in turn showed their gratitude by charging him with aggravated assault and shooting at an occupied vehicle, both felonies. (More Jose Martinez stories.)