Walked Into A Robbery In Progress at Summerport Publix

[Feralpeg]

Kendall and I had gone to DTD for the evening with a friend visiting the area. After we dropped him off, I decided to run up to the Publix at Summerport to grab some cat food. Kendall wanted to wait in the car.

Just as I was entering the store, a bunch of Publix employees and some customers started running from the store. One lady was pushing a cart and just left it and ran. I stopped one of the bag boys and asked what was happening. He told me not to go in the store. There was a guy inside with a gun.

I went back to the car and watched as other customers and employees ran from the store. I decided it would be better to just leave the area. As we were driving out, we saw a half dozen Orange County Sheriff cruisers entering the parking lot.

This all happened about a half hour ago. I pray that all the store employees and customers got out okay. Thank you, God, for that red light that caused me to arrive at the store a couple of minutes later!

 

[Octoberbride03]

WOW!!

I think I'd be headed to church to do just that. I hope everybody's OK

 

[Pakey]

So glad you are okay. How horrible for the people who were inside.

 

[LuvOrlando]

How scary, hope things end ok.

 

[Feralpeg]

Thinking back, I don't remember seeing any managers in the folks leaving the store. Normally, the Publix managers are dressed differently than the checks and bag staff. Hope they all got out.

The look on some of the faces as the ran from the store will stay with me awhile. So glad I didn't make into the store and that I didn't send Kendall in for me!

 

[Traveliz]

Kendall and I had gone to DTD for the evening with a friend visiting the area. After we dropped him off, I decided to run up to the Publix at Summerport to grab some cat food. Kendall wanted to wait in the car.

Just as I was entering the store, a bunch of Publix employees and some customers started running from the store. One lady was pushing a cart and just left it and ran. I stopped one of the bag boys and asked what was happening. He told me not to go in the store. There was a guy inside with a gun.

I went back to the car and watched as other customers and employees ran from the store. I decided it would be better to just leave the area. As we were driving out, we saw a half dozen Orange County Sheriff cruisers entering the parking lot.

This all happened about a half hour ago. I pray that all the store employees and customers got out okay. Thank you, God, for that red light that caused me to arrive at the store a couple of minutes later!

Oh my gosh how scary - Chloe was there just last night doing her shopping - I just called her and she says she tries to stay away from the stores late but still I know sometimes she runs in for something.

Scary scary - thank goodness you were able to get away from the craziness.

Liz

 

[Feralpeg]

Oh my gosh how scary - Chloe was there just last night doing her shopping - I just called her and she says she tries to stay away from the stores late but still I know sometimes she runs in for something.

Scary scary - thank goodness you were able to get away from the craziness.

Liz

Liz, I've gone into that store so many times late at night without a concern. I guess it is just a sign of the times. It can happen any place at any time. If at any time, Chloe is uncomfortable going someplace by herself, she is welcome to contact me. I'd be happy to keep her company.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

That is a scary situation. I hope it ends well.

 

[Jennasis]

Wooo scary! happened to me once too. DH, MIL and I were going to our favorite diner for breakfast. We were going to weigh the pros and cons of leaving Long Island and moving to NC over pancakes...when we got to the diner, I got out of the car and heard 3 loud pops. I looked at DH and said "That sounded like gun-fire". He poo-pooed me and we walked to the entrance of the diner where people were running out yelling. We went in and there were patrons on the floor, hiding under tables. Apparently just as I got out of the car, there had been a drive by! Angry former waitress had instructed her thug boyfriend to shoot the place up for firing her.

 

[java]

Yikes so glad you didn't get caught in it. And hoping that it all turned out ok for everyone involved.

 

[Traveliz]

Liz, I've gone into that store so many times late at night without a concern. I guess it is just a sign of the times. It can happen any place at any time. If at any time, Chloe is uncomfortable going someplace by herself, she is welcome to contact me. I'd be happy to keep her company.

Thanks - yes I felt like it was a totally safe area as well so hopefully this is just a random act of stupidity and the bad guys got caught.

Chloe generally feels safe and is smart about going places etc but like you must feel - it is still a little unsettling.

I am coming down next weekend for about ten days YAY! so I will be around.

I will be watching to hear what came of the situation -- again - glad you are all safe.

Liz

 

[Chernabog#1fan]

Kendall and I had gone to DTD for the evening with a friend visiting the area. After we dropped him off, I decided to run up to the Publix at Summerport to grab some cat food. Kendall wanted to wait in the car.

Just as I was entering the store, a bunch of Publix employees and some customers started running from the store. One lady was pushing a cart and just left it and ran. I stopped one of the bag boys and asked what was happening. He told me not to go in the store. There was a guy inside with a gun.

I went back to the car and watched as other customers and employees ran from the store. I decided it would be better to just leave the area. As we were driving out, we saw a half dozen Orange County Sheriff cruisers entering the parking lot.

This all happened about a half hour ago. I pray that all the store employees and customers got out okay. Thank you, God, for that red light that caused me to arrive at the store a couple of minutes later!

I am not able to find anything just yet on any of the news sites about this. I hope everyone is okay there. Our Publix near our house (off of Landstar) started having a police officer on duty in the store while it is open. They started about a year or so ago. It feels a little weird to shop in a store with a police officer standing guard when you walk in, but am thankful they are there to try to prevent stuff like this from happening.

If you find out any more, please update!

 

[Feralpeg]

I am not able to find anything just yet on any of the news sites about this. I hope everyone is okay there. Our Publix near our house (off of Landstar) started having a police officer on duty in the store while it is open. They started about a year or so ago. It feels a little weird to shop in a store with a police officer standing guard when you walk in, but am thankful they are there to try to prevent stuff like this from happening.

If you find out any more, please update!

Will do! I watched the news and there was nothing, but it just went down about an hour ago. I'm hoping it was all a misunderstanding of some type, although I'm not sure how one misunderstands a gun.

 

[Aimeedyan]

So glad you are okay! And, that you were paying enough attention to your surroundings to see that something was up. I've seen some people so distracted (esp on cell phones!) that they walk right past major events going on.

Update us if you learn anything more about what was going on.

 

[FINFAN]

Yikes! I would have been frazzeled by that for sure, you handled it great getting you and Kendall out of there. I imagine it will be hard to shake it for a while. You are right, things are changing..one must be on the defense at all times. Glad you guys are ok. Keep us posted if you can on if anyone is caught etc.

 

[kimmar067]

...OMG, how awful!! How far is that from WDW?? BTW ~ any updates??

 

[Traveliz]

...OMG, how awful!! How far is that from WDW?? BTW ~ any updates??

It's behind MK -- about 15 minutes up 535 - not a touristy area, more residential.

Liz

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I'm so surprised, the Summerport Publix is not one I would ever consider as being one to be weary in... I guess I've been living in the area long enough to put my guard down and that's a bad thing!!

I even thought about going up there to get a few cases of Publix Soda but stopped at the Sand Lake store instead on the way home. I'm glad you're safe and hope that everyone else is too!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm glad you are okay. That was a close call! I hope no one is hurt from this ordeal.

Please keep us posted.

 

[SOnotLayuh]

Definitely keep us posted OP - I didn't see anything about it in the news either.