Woman pulls gun during argument at Ohio Walmart

Incident led to charges of inducing panic and aggravated menacing against 25-year-old Brittany Collins.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Two female shoppers at a Walmart in St. Clairsville, Ohio got into a heated argument on Tuesday morning, leading one of them, 25-year-old Brittany Collins, to pull out a gun. Collins claimed she felt threatened by the other woman and told her to leave her alone. Police have charged Collins with inducing panic and aggravated menacing, and have forwarded a report to the prosecutor.

Why it matters

Incidents of gun violence and threats in public places like Walmart raise concerns about public safety and de-escalation of confrontations. This case highlights the risks when arguments between strangers escalate to the use of firearms, even if no shots were fired.

The details

According to Richland Township Police Officer Chad Kulpa, the two women were complete strangers but got into a confrontation over something at about 10 a.m. at the St. Clairsville Walmart. The woman who pulled the gun, Brittany Collins, said she felt threatened by the other woman, so she pulled out the weapon and told her to leave her alone.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday morning around 10 a.m.

The players

Brittany Collins

A 25-year-old woman from the Lansing area who pulled a gun on another shopper during an argument at a Walmart in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Richland Township Police Officer Chad Kulpa

The police officer who provided details about the incident to the media.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

Police say they forwarded a report to the prosecutor, who will decide whether to file charges against Brittany Collins.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the risks of arguments between strangers escalating to the use of firearms, even in public places like Walmart. It raises concerns about public safety and the need for de-escalation techniques to prevent such confrontations from turning violent.