Reports of gunshots being fired at the Walmart in Picayune turned out to be the result of a gun accidentally discharging as an individual attempted to put a gun in his waistband before entering the store.

Picayune Police Department Assistant Chief Dustin Moeller said officers were called to the area of the retailer on Saturday at 8:36 p.m. Officers en route were told by dispatch while that a witness reported hearing a gunshot, just before they saw a young male exit his vehicle and ask if he had shot himself before entering the store, Moeller said.

Responding officers arrived to find the black Ford Fusion described in the witness reports parked with its lights on, but no one inside. As they inspected the vehicle, three people who were described to be occupants of the vehicle approached, two of which were male and the third was female, Moeller said.

A pat down of the male occupants of the vehicle was conducted for officer safety, during which a plastic bag containing a green leafy substance suspected to be marijuana was found in the possession of 17-year-old Kelton Keonta Magee, of 100 Teague Street. Moeller said that Magee was arrested as an adult for felony possession of a controlled substance. As Magee was being searched, 18-year-old Hannah Renee Cooper, of 983 Union School Rd., became irate with officers and was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct failure to comply, Moeller said.

As the investigation into the initial complaints of a gunshot continued, officers learned that a fourth person from the vehicle was still in the local Walmart and that the gunshot witnesses heard was accidental. Moeller said the investigation showed that as 18-year-old Malek Jaleel Lull, of 597 Carroll St., Apt. B, exited the vehicle he attempted to conceal a handgun in his waistband, causing the gun to discharge, Moeller said. No one was struck by the bullet.

A description of Lull was acquired by the officers before they attempted to locate him inside the store. When officers located Lull and attempted to speak with him, he fled on foot, but was captured a short time later near the front entrance by officers. Moeller said a 9mm handgun was found in Lull’s left jacket pocket along with a bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, during a search of his person. Lull was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and carrying of a concealed weapon.

A search of the vehicle located another 9mm pistol. It’s unclear who that weapon belonged to.

No charges were lodged against the fourth occupant of the vehicle, who was released at the scene, Moeller said.