Man Causes Disruption and Fear at Garden City Walmart – GCPD Media Release

Garden City Police Department

On September 1, 2020, at around 3:30 PM, Deputies with the Finney County Sheriff’s Office responded to a man verbally assaulting an off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy at her residence. During the investigation of the assault, deputies learned a man, later identified as James Wood (42), 2009 Center Street, had gone to the deputy’s residence and made erratic comments about the Finney County Sheriff’s Office. Mr.Wood was very angry and aggressive toward the deputy and tried to enter into her residence. She was able to close her front door, and Mr.Wood left the area.

At around 6:30 PM, Mr.Wood was located in the 2200 block of Crestway Drive by an on-duty Finney County Sheriff’s deputy who was in an unmarked vehicle. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Mr. Wood. Officers of the GCPD responded to the area to assist; however, officers and deputies lost sight of him. A short time later, Mr. Wood was found in the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter, 3101 East Kansas Ave, where he exited his vehicle and ran into the store. Witnesses and employees reported that Mr. Wood was making comments about harming officers of the Garden City Police Department as well as comments against the deputies with the Finney County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr.Wood was heard by patrons and employees of Walmart making comments about getting a gun and shooting officers and deputies and walked towards the sporting-goods section of Walmart Supercenter. Mr.Wood was prevented from retrieving a firearm by store employees and patrons. Mr. Wood was then met by officers and deputies and taken into custody without incident by the Finney County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr.Wood was arrested on charges of Assault and Aggravated Criminal Threat and transported to the Finney County Jail. The case has been turned over to the Finney County Attorney’s Office for further review.

*The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime, and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law.*