29-year-old man shot in Garner Walmart parking lot, no charges filed in the case
Family members of a man shot and killed Tuesday evening outside a Walmart in Garner tell WRAL they are disappointed no charges are being filed in his death.
Warrants show Colten Valdez, 29, died in the shooting, which occurred after 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Walmart located at 4500 Fayetteville Road.
"A dad. Son. Nephew. Brother. Taken away from us way too soon."
Brandie Michelle shared this message with WRAL News to describe the man she considered a brother.
A suspect who was taken into custody Tuesday night has been released, according to police, who said they are not looking for other suspects.
"If police let a person of interest go, either they have reason to believe that person wasn't the one who fired the fatal shot or there was a justification," Daniel Meier, Defense Attorney, said.
Defense attorney Daniel Meier, who has no ties to this case provided clarification regarding the incident report listing 'murder and non-negligent manslaughter" as the crime incident.
"Non negligent manslaughter would mean this shooting was intentional," Meier said. "It wasn't an accidental discharge or mistake. The person who shot them intended to shoot them."
According to police, an altercation led to a shooting that took place near handicapped parking spaces.
"It's pretty strange. When I was walking around the store, it was completely empty. Coming out and seeing all the cops, seeing all the tape," one Walmart employee said.
A Walmart employee, who prefers to remain anonymous, was two hours away from finishing his shift when gunfire erupted in the parking lot.
"It's concerning and makes me feel unsafe," a Walmart employee said.
Valdez was taken to the hospital, where he died.
"It doesn’t mean there’s not going to be an investigation, it doesn’t mean their not going to potentially pursue charges later it means they don’t have enough evidence right now to think they weren’t justified," Meier said.
Garner Police have been tight lipped about the case-other than saying the investigation is ongoing.
