Kmart Gunman Takes Hostages, Then Surrenders

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. —  A man asked to see a shotgun at a Kmart store Thursday, then loaded the weapon and used it to hold 25 people hostage before surrendering more than five hours later, authorities said. No one was hurt.

The man, identified by police as Larry Eugene Fry of Carlisle, Pa., released the hostages before walking out of the store unarmed.

State Trooper Karen Dutrow said a domestic dispute may have triggered the incident. One of the hostages, John Peterson of Shippensburg, said Fry told some people that he feared his wife was cheating on him.

Police said Fry, 28, could face charges of kidnaping, reckless endangerment and making terrorist threats.

Kmart employee Karen Weagley said the ordeal began when the suspect entered the store and asked to see a 12-gauge shotgun in the sporting goods department. He then took a box of shells off a shelf, loaded the gun and demanded to see the manager, Weagley said.

She said she alerted about 30 customers and employees who escaped out the back as the man ordered the manager to lock the doors. The manager used the store’s public address system to order women and children out of the store, Peterson said.

Police contacted Fry by calling the store. State Police Sgt. Richard Morris said the man made no demands and was cooperative during the incident.