Gunman who opened fire at Walmart facility was a former employee

A man who opened fire at a Walmart distribution center in Red Bluff Saturday was a former employee, sheriff’s officials said.

Tehama County Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston said the shooter was a 31-year-old male. He allegedly opened fire at the center, killing one and wounding four.

“He entered the building and started firing at random targets,� Johnston said, adding Lane also hit at least one person with his car. There was also a fire at the scene, but authorities were trying to determine what caused it.

He was later killed by authorities in a shootout with police that involved multiple rounds, he said.

The dead victim was identified as Martin Haro-Lozano, 45, of Orland.

There also was a fire at the site, and the suspect appears to have rammed a vehicle into the building, dispatchers said. About 200 workers were inside the facility, some of whom locked themselves in a room, employees at the center told KHSL-TV Channel 12 in Chico.

The suspect had been shot in the chest by about 3:45 p.m., dispatchers told the Record Searchlight.

Scott Thammakhanty, an employee at the facility’s receiving center, said he heard what sounded like semiautomatic weapon fire.

“It went on and on — I don’t even know how many times he fired,� Thammakhanty said. “I just know it was a lot.�

Thammakhanty and others started running for their lives, and he saw people lying on the ground as he went, he said.