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North Carolina Grandmother opens fire in Walmart parking lot after losing custody battle

Posted at 6:34 PM, Oct 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-20 18:34:52-04

RANDLEMAN, N.C. -- A disgruntled North Carolina grandmother opened fire in a Walmart parking lot Thursday afternoon, injuring only herself, according to police.

The incident, which happened at about 3 p.m. at the Randleman, North Carolina, store, apparently stemmed from a custody battle. That morning, a judge granted custody of a 2-year-old to the child's father, not the grandmother, police said.

The father and grandmother – neither of whom have been identified by police – arranged to meet at the Walmart parking lot so the father could pick up the child. Instead, police said, the grandmother showed up with a gun and opened fire.

Neither the father nor any shoppers were injured in the shooting.

The grandmother, however, accidentally shot herself in the foot and drove off. Police apprehended her a short time later.

She is currently being treated in an area hospital. Charges are pending as of Thursday evening.