LUMBERTON, Texas — Lumberton Police are continuing to investigate a fatal Wednesday night shooting they say may have been a case of self-defense.
Waylon Mark Palmore, 51, of Kirbyville, was killed in the shooting, Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins told 12News on Thursday.
The fatal shooting happened just before 8 p.m. outside the Papa John's Pizza in the 200 block of Main St.
Palmore walked out of Papa John's and got into an altercation with another customer that was about to enter the pizza shop according to Sullins.
Papa John’s employees told police that Palmore seemed agitated and may have been intoxicated when he picked up his order before the shooting Sullins said.
Police are awaiting blood test results that may take up to six weeks to find out.
Sullins said Palmore got very mad about something and walked out of the pizza shop before the shooting just outside the front door.
Officers found Palmore’s body on the ground to the north of the front door closer to the father and son’s vehicle then to his own van which was south of the front door Sullins said.
Palmore “had words” with the other man just outside the door and after he pulled his gun the man’s son “stepped around and defended his dad,” Sullins told 12News on Thursday.
The son was lawfully carrying a concealed gun in a holster Sullins said.
“Right now it appears to be self-defense” Sullins said, adding that investigators will still fully investigate the shooting.
When officers got there the son and his father were still there along with Palmore, who died at the scene.
The father was injured, possibly from a ricochet, and is undergoing surgery at a Beaumont hospital and is expected to make a full recovery Sullins said.
The son, who fired the shots, was “fully cooperative throughout the night," he said.
Hardin County District Attorney Rebecca Walton came to the scene and went over it with police.
Currently police are not anticipating that any charges will be filed, but they will still do a complete investigation he said.
Investigators have reviewed surveillance video and are taking statements from witnesses he said.
"I kind of maybe expected it's in Beaumont not that it's a great thing. And maybe in other places here in Southeast Texas. But definitely not in Lumberton," Isaac Henderson, Advanced Auto Parts employee said.
Henderson was working the closing shift at the auto store when he was startled by gunfire.
"All I heard was four gun shots a small separation and then four more gunshots," he said.
Henderson says he called for help.
"We thought, 'Hey, that's gunshots let's step back. And we immediately called the police," he said.
All weapons involved were recovered from the scene, Sullins said Wednesday night.
“My heart goes out to the deceased’s family as well as to the other side” Sullins said Thursday morning.
Chief Sullins calling the entire exchange tragic.
"t's a sad situation, but my message to the public is, you know, when you pull a gun out, you better be ready for the consequences," he said.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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