National

Shopper drops gun and accidentally shoots herself at T.J. Maxx store, Alabama cops say

Christmas shopping took a frightening turn at one Alabama T.J. Maxx when police say a woman dropped a loaded pistol and accidentally shot herself.

The identity of the woman was not released, but she survived to shop another day, officials said.

It happened around 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at the T.J. Maxx store on Tiger Town Parkway in Opelika, which is about 110 miles southeast of Birmingham.

“Upon arrival, first responders located a 55-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her foot,” the Opelika Police Department reported on Facebook.

Christmas shopping took an odd turn in in Opelika, Alabama, when a T.J. Maxx shopper dropped a pistol and wounded herself Monday, Dec. 20, police say.
Christmas shopping took an odd turn in in Opelika, Alabama, when a T.J. Maxx shopper dropped a pistol and wounded herself Monday, Dec. 20, police say. Street View image from July 2021. © 2021 Google

“Officers learned that the woman accidentally dropped the firearm, which caused it to discharge, striking her in the foot.”

The shopper was taken to a hospital. Police did not release details of her condition.

No injuries were reported among other shoppers or staff at the clothing and home decor store.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

It happened five days before Christmas, a period when stores are often packed with shoppers racing to make purchases before businesses close on Christmas Eve.

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 6:35 AM with the headline "Shopper drops gun and accidentally shoots herself at T.J. Maxx store, Alabama cops say."

Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
MP
Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a state reporter for The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy News outlets in North Carolina. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. 
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER