SHREWSBURY, Pa.-- When Stanley Vetock went into the Shrewsbury Walmart Thursday night, he sensed something wasn't right.
"Walked in the back door, and then there was silence," he said. "It was odd and then there was a pop."
Pennsylvania State Police said 57-year-old Thomas Markowski attempted to rob the pharmacy department. Court documents say he called the pharmacy and asked for four boxes of Fentanyl. When the store said they did, he said he would come back later.
Later in the day, Markowski came to the pharmacy and demanded the four boxes of Fentanyl. He told the pharmacist he had a gun and she had five seconds to do it. The pharmacy called 911 and gave Markowski the drugs.
As Markowski was leaving a responding state trooper saw him. Markowski fired his sawed-off shotgun at the trooper and missed. The trooper fired back and hit Markowski in the chest. He was taken to York Hospital. There is no word on his condition.
He is facing several charges including: attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, robbery, aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking or disposition, possessing instruments of crime, prohibited offensive weapon, and recklessly endangering another person.
For people in the store, it was a chaotic scene according to Vetock. He said once he heard the gunshots, he ran for the doors.
"You're not thinking at that point, you just don't even think about that in Shrewsbury," he said.
Vetock said he ran to a nearby restaurant and watched the police activity. He is a bit shaken about returning.
"I don't think I will be back here at night," he said.
Other people we spoke with said this will not stop them from coming. Hunter Black showed up today to get a car part but found the store closed.
"Shouldn't really happen again. I hope not," he said.
The store remained closed throughout the day. Walmart officials say it will reopen at 6 a.m. on Saturday.
Walmart released a statement to the media saying:
When faced with a very difficult situation, our associates enacted emergency procedures including immediately notifying law enforcement and making other associates and customers award of the situation. We're very appreciative for the immediate response and assistance from law enforcement and grateful that no associates or customers were harmed.