A Nevada woman ordered her husband to bring a gun to a Las Vegas Walmart after she got into an altercation with another shopper, police said—a decision that ended with her husband being shot and killed by responding officers inside the store.
Background
The incident occurred on July 21 at a Walmart located in the 5100 block of Boulder Highway in East Las Vegas. According to arrest reports obtained by local NBC and Fox affiliates KSNV and KVVU, Raqiya Ward became involved in an argument with Kwame Swain, who was arguing with his girlfriend near the store entrance.
Police allege that Ward walked past the couple and said something, sparking a physical confrontation. Witnesses told investigators that punches were thrown during the altercation, along with rocks. At some point during the fight, Ward allegedly called her husband, Travis Ward, to come help.
"Bring a gun," witnesses reported Ward saying to her husband over the phone, according to police.
The Investigation
When Travis Ward arrived at the Walmart, he was armed with a pistol, witness statements indicate. Ward told him his target was inside and shirtless before he allegedly opened fire on Swain in the middle of the store, sending customers and employees scrambling for safety.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the scene around 6 a.m., shortly after the store opened. Police Captains briefed reporters on the chaotic sequence that followed.
"LVMPD communications received a call for service, stating that numerous subjects were involved in a physical altercation inside," a police captain said. "As an officer arrived, he heard what he believed to be a gunshot coming from inside the business, immediately followed by a suspect exiting the business holding a firearm."
Police say Travis Ward was walking out of the Walmart with a gun still in his hand when officers encountered him. The responding officer discharged his weapon, striking Travis Ward, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Inside the store, authorities found Swain suffering from a gunshot wound. He was provided immediate medical attention and transported to an area hospital, where he remained in critical condition as of late last week.
The arrest report notes that Travis Ward allegedly attempted to shoot Swain multiple times but his weapon malfunctioned during the shooting inside the store.
Key Takeaways
- Raqiya Ward has been charged with battery with a deadly weapon, disregard for the safety of persons or property, and conspiracy to commit battery
- Her husband, Travis Ward, was shot and killed by LVMPD officers after exiting the Walmart with a firearm in his hand
- Kwame Swain remains hospitalized in critical condition following the shooting inside the store
- A second woman identified as Ameea Blue is also facing charges related to the initial altercation and is being held on $25,000 bail
- Prosecutors allege that Ward and her co-defendant initiated a physical fight before "enlisting someone to come and show up with a firearm"
What's Next
Ward was ordered held without bail following her court appearance last week. She and Blue are both due back in court Tuesday for further proceedings. The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, and prosecutors could pursue additional charges as more details emerge.
Shoppers who witnessed the chaos described their shock at seeing violence erupt inside a place they'd frequent regularly.
"I literally came to get some Tylenol so I can do my morning walk, and I came into a scene looking like Baghdad," shopper Christopher Goodloe told CBS affiliate KLAS. "I can't believe it, man. Thirty-two years and I never experienced this in my life."
A female shopper who lives near the store told KTNV: "Honestly, it was scary because a lot of families live in the area. I'm here all the time, so to hear something like this happened at our local Walmart is crazy. I never thought it would happen over here."