JC Walmart Evacuated As Man Slashes Himself

Yellow police tape outside the Johnson City Walmart store on August 9, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

Customers and employees were evacuated from the Walmart store in Johnson City after a man threatened to cut his throat with a knife.

Police were called to the store on Gannett Drive at about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday.

Authorities said the first officer who entered the store found the man holding a scalpel to his neck.

Police said the man was "highly uncooperative" and would not drop the weapon while challenging the officer to shoot him.

After the man slashed his wrists and neck, the officer used pepper spray to try to subdue him. Police said the pepper spray was not effective so a second officer used a TASER device to incapacitate the man.

Officers took the man into custody and applied pressure to his neck wound to control the bleeding until medics were able to provide assistance.

Police said the 40-year-old man lives in Johnson City. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Investigators said no criminal charges were being contemplated at this time.

Charles Crowson, Walmart senior manager for corporate communications, issued a statement late Tuesday afternoon: "We're grateful to police and medical crews for their quick response and action."

Employees were permitted to return to the store after about 30 minutes. The store was expected to reopen around 9 p.m. Tuesday.

An entrance to the Walmart store was closed hours after customers were evacuated. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.