Costco employee shot, killed after confronting shopper with gun, authorities say

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - A Costco employee was shot and killed at work after allegedly turning away a shopper who tried to enter the store with a gun, authorities said.

Officers were called to the store on April 25, at about 5:45 p.m. and found a 61-year-old man who had been shot multiple times.

Witnesses told police the suspect, 22-year-old Christian M. Bryant of Fort Worth, Texas, was seen walking toward the front doors of the Costco with “a drum magazine protruding from one of his pockets,” WJW reported.

An employee identified as Randy Corrigan approached and told him he could not enter with the weapon.

In his court hearing, the 22-year-old said Corrigan allegedly approached him with a knife.

Bryant allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic handgun fitted with a drum magazine and shot Corrigan.

In a court document, Bryant reportedly fired one round at the victim and then, “after a split second pause, fired many more, one after another, with no pause.”

According to a Strongsville police investigative report, Corrigan was shot seven to eight times.

Corrigan was taken to a hospital and later died.

Corrigan spent years caring for others. An online fundraiser set up for his funeral expenses describes him as selfless and caring.

“Real good guy,” a neighbor who knew Corrigan said.

Corrigan was the sole caregiver for his mother. The two lived together in a Cleveland neighborhood on the city’s west side.

Less than 24 hours after Corrigan was killed, his coworkers laid flowers outside the store, holding each other.

Bryant was arrested and charged with murder. He is being held on $5 million bond. An attorney said Bryant was a truck driver who was traveling and could flee before his case was resolved, which is why the defense asked for the large bond.

A spokesperson for Corrigan’s family was in court and said they want “justice to be served.”