CHECOTAH — A former employee of Wal-Mart shot himself in the head inside the store Monday morning, said Checotah Police Officer Andy Blizzard.

Michael Bucci, in his late 20s, died at the scene, Blizzard said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved,” said Wal-Mart media spokeswoman Anna Taylor.

She said because a police investigation was involved, there would be no additional comment.

About 7:30 a.m., a customer from inside the store called 911 to report an “active shooter” in the store, Blizzard said.

Employee witnesses said Bucci spoke to a few friends in the electronics department when he arrived and did not seem to be angry, Blizzard said. He had left his employ at Wal-Mart on good terms, they told Blizzard.

Blizzard said the shooting occurred where there was no inside camera.

The store was cleared of most employees and all shoppers, Blizzard said.

The investigator from the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office, Walter Stewart of McAlester, arrived about 9:35 a.m.

A note was found in Bucci’s pocket, officials said.

“The note didn’t make a whole lot of sense — it was pretty much just rambling,” said Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson.

Bucci, had worked at the store and lived at Council Hill until about a year ago, officials said. A former girlfriend told police he left the area to go to Oklahoma City to work as a gunsmith, Blizzard said.

Bucci’s grandparents live at Council Hill. They and his mother, who lives in Oklahoma City, were notified of his death, Pearson said.

Employees arriving for work were told to go home. Shoppers were dismayed to learn a man had shot himself.

Millie Gorman, 62, who said she lived 10 miles east at Shady Grove, shook her head sadly.

“Life’s not that rough yet — I can handle things a little while longer,” she said.

Gorman had gone to the store to get a new umbrella and a new coffee pot. She wondered if she should wait and see if the store reopened.

An employee stepped outside and told people, “This store won’t be reopening.”

About that time, 84-year-old Cecil Keith arrived, saying, “Oh, dear gosh — I came to get my prescription refilled.”

A department manager took his prescription bottle, ushered him inside the door and told him he would get his prescription. Signs were later posted on the glass entry doors saying, “Temporarily closed.”

Wal-Mart Manager Don Weddle said the store reopened at 2:30 p.m.



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