PORTSMOUTH, Va. -The Walmart on Frederick Boulevard in Portsmouth has reopened after temporarily closing for what the store called “security concerns.”
Walmart released the following statement to News 3:
“Given the heightened emotions in the community, we have closed our store temporarily because of security concerns. We apologize for any inconvenience, but our first responsibility is always the safety of our customers and associates. We hope the store will re-open quickly”
An employee who answered the phone at the store Sunday evening would not answer any questions.
Walmart officials have not stated what the security concerns are or when the store will re-open.
The parking lot of the store is where former Portsmouth Police Officer Stephen Rankin shot and killed 18-year-old William Chapman last year. Rankin was found guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter last week.
He’s expected to be formally sentenced in October after a jury recommended he serve 2.5 years in prison.
