Walmart Mass Shooting Foiled: A Close Call in Gun Barrel City, Texas

Gun Barrel City, Texas - At approximately 6:30 pm last Saturday, February 15th, 2025, police were called out to the Walmart on West Main Street in Gun Barrel City, Texas in response to a man who allegedly threatened to "shoot up the store."

22-year-old John Thomas Martin was located inside Walmart with a semi-automatic hand gun, along with three magazines and one extended magazine. He had a total of 63 rounds of ammunition. He was also found to be wearing a ballistic vest underneath his hooded sweatshirt.

Martin was arrested before he did any damage, but the fact that he was actually inside the Walmart and essentially ready to go, is very troubling. He was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon and terroristic threats, and booked into the Henderson County Jail. His bond currently set at $1,025,000.

The people of Gun Barrel City are incredibly lucky law enforcement was able to put a stop to what could have been another horrific mass shooting.

According to Wikipedia, as of today, February 17th, 2025, there have already been 46 mass shootings in the United States this year alone. Mass shootings this year have caused 90 deaths and 134 injuries.

I've said this before, but I always want to remind my readers to please speak up if they see or hear something that doesn't seem right. Trust your instincts. Take people seriously if they mention desiring to hurt themselves or others. Do not hesitate to contact the authorities. Let's do our best to keep each other safe.

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