Columbia Police confirm shots fired at Grindstone Walmart in Columbia, avoid the area

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police confirmed shots fired at the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway in South Columbia Sunday night.

A large police presence is on scene with officers investigating in and around the parking lot of the store.

Columbia Police Officers started blocking off the parking lot with crime scene tape shortly after 7 p.m. An ABC 17 News reporter heard officers telling people they could not go into the store. People inside the store were evacuated through a side door into the parking lot around at 7:13 p.m.

The reporter saw eight Columbia Police cars and two University of Missouri ambulances in the parking lot during the response, one ambulance left with its lights on around 6:55 p.m.

A Crime Scene Investigation van arrived to the Walmart at 7:05 p.m.

ABC 17 News has reached out to CPD for more information. A spokesman said the public should avoid the area near the Walmart.

Check back for updates.