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WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Police documents obtained Tuesday paint a clearer image of how Scott Sargent allegedly began shooting an AR-15 rifle in the populated area near the Walmart in the Wilkes-Barre Township Marketplace on Saturday.
What is not clear, however, is how Sargent, 31, of Shenandoah, obtained the weapon.
The affidavit of probable cause indicates that Sargent had a prior felony conviction for burglary, which would prohibit him from owning, possessing, using or transferring a firearm.
The shooting took place at approximately 12:35 p.m. and multiple shots were fired from what state police said was a .223-caliber rifle, with Sargent initially firing into the air as he stood by a car.
Luzerne County 911 dispatch recordings during the incident contain audible gunshots during the incident.
According to the affidavit of probable cause:
Police received a call at 12:39 p.m. on Saturday for a report of an active shooter at the Walmart. Units from multiple municipal agencies, as well as State Police, responded to the scene.
Police say that Sargent fired upon responding police cars using an AR-15 style .223 rifle as they arrived. A Wilkes-Barre Township police SUV in particular was shot in the radiator, while a second shot struck the passenger side mirror. A third round struck and penetrated the upper portion of the vehicle’s windshield, and then went on to penetrate driver’s side headrest before lodging in the rear of the vehicle.
The affidavit indicates that the vehicle was being driven by an officer at that time.
Sargent allegedly continued to fire multiple shots in the direction of responding officers, which prompted police to return fire. Sargent then allegedly ran to the rear of the Walmart while firing at police.
Police chased Sargent to the rear of the building, where Sargent allegedly raised his rifle in the direction of police. A police officer then shot Sargent in the stomach, enabling police to place him under arrest.
Police say that during the time frame of the gunfire, the Wilkes-Barre Township Marketplace was “heavily populated with consumer traffic.” Police also say that when Sargent was allegedly shooting at police, he was firing in the direction of the heavily occupied parking lot.
During the scene examination, police say that one shot allegedly fired by Sargent hit the vehicle of a customer who was loading his vehicle. Two other shots allegedly struck the doors of the car center of Walmart entering the interior garage bay, and also hit a lift control for servicing vehicles. Police say employees were in that area at the time of the shooting.