A teenager from North Carolina, Ezekiel Burden, has been arrested in Chicago after allegedly shooting and killing a woman inside a Walmart. The incident occurred on December 20, when Burden, 17, opened fire at a bank inside the Walmart Supercenter in Lumberton, North Carolina. The victim, 42-year-old Brandy Nicole Olson, was struck by gunfire while waiting in line at the bank. Burden and his associate, Brian Campbell, 18, reportedly fled the scene after the shooting. While Campbell turned himself in on December 23, Burden managed to elude capture for several weeks.
The arrest was made possible by a tip from an informant, which led authorities to a Greyhound bus station in Chicago. Burden was apprehended by a joint task force that included the Lumberton Police Department, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Marshal Service (USMS), and the Chicago Police Department. The task force worked together to track down Burden and bring him into custody. He was arrested while attempting to board a bus in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently awaiting extradition back to North Carolina.
Burden faces charges of first-degree murder, discharge of a firearm within an enclosure to incite fear, and other related charges. Police allege that Burden and Campbell were targeting two individuals they knew who were standing at the Woodforest Bank inside the Walmart. Olson, who was also in line at the bank, was caught in the crossfire and tragically lost her life.
Cellphone footage captured during the shooting shows at least six gunshots ringing out from the front of the store near the bank. One witness, Kayleann Brooke, shared her experience on social media, describing the terrifying scene. She wrote, “The scariest s— I have ever experienced!” Another shopper, Steven Rumsey, recalled that Olson appeared to be trying to escape the chaos when she was accidentally struck by the gunfire.
The shooting sent shockwaves through the community, and local authorities have expressed their gratitude to the law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and arrest. The collaboration between multiple agencies was crucial in tracking down Burden, who had been on the run for several weeks. His capture marks a significant step in bringing justice to Olson’s family and ensuring that Burden faces the consequences of his actions.
Burden’s arrest also highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to apprehend fugitives and hold individuals accountable for violent crimes. The US Marshals Service, in particular, has played a key role in tracking down individuals who attempt to evade justice by fleeing the jurisdiction. Their work, along with the assistance of local law enforcement and federal agencies, has led to the successful apprehension of many fugitives across the country.
The case has sparked conversations about gun violence and the safety of public spaces, particularly in places like shopping centers and banks. The tragic death of Olson serves as a reminder of the risks that innocent people face when violence erupts in public spaces. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to piece together the details of the shooting and Burden’s motivations.
As Burden awaits extradition, the community remains in shock over the senseless loss of life. Olson’s family and friends are left to mourn her tragic death, while law enforcement works to ensure that justice is served. The arrest of Burden is a crucial step in holding him accountable for his actions and providing some measure of closure to those affected by the shooting.
