Gunfire erupts in Eureka grocery store, man arrested

Shortly after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, shoppers in the Eureka Stein’s Market heard a gunshot ring out inside the store. A Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the scene and, as a result, arrested James Martin, 48, on a misdemeanor charge of negligent endangerment.

According to a statement from Sheriff’s office, Martin, who is employed by the market, was legally carrying a belt-holstered .45-caliber handgun while in the store, off-shift. A fellow employee inquired about the weapon, so Martin pulled it from the holster and removed the magazine, clearing the pistol.

After examining the pistol, the co-worker returned it to Martin who reinserted the magazine and released the slide. At that point, the pistol fired a bullet into the floor. The bullet ricocheted off the floor, where pieces broke off. One of those pieces hit the unidentified employee in the leg, but caused no injury. The remaining piece of the bullet was located approximately 45 feet away near a display stand.

Martin, who had left the store, was located and arrested by a deputy a short time later. He was transported and booked into the Lincoln County jail and posted bond shortly thereafter.

He was arraigned in Lincoln County Justice Court on Feb. 25 and entered a plea of not guilty.