Man indicted for deadly shooting at Butler County Walmart

FAIRFIELD TWP. — A man accused of shooting two people, killing one of them, at a Walmart in Butler County has been indicted on several charges.

A grand jury handed up an indictment against Anthony Brown, 32, Thursday for one count of murder, aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and having weapons while under disability, according to online court records.

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Brown was accused of attempting to steal items from the electronic section at the Walmart store in Fairfield Twp. on May 26. Police said shopper tried to stop the suspect, later identified as Brown, but he was able to pull away and run toward the door.

A second shopper then tried to stop him. Police said that it was then that the Brown pulled out a handgun and shot the individual. That person, Adam Black, 35, of Columbus, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said an employee, later identified as Eric Ruff, who was also in the area and tried to help was shot. Ruff was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. Police told News Center 7 Thursday that Ruff remains hospitalized and is in non-life threatening condition.

Brown was taken into custody early Friday morning after a SWAT standoff at the Fairfield Inn in Middletown.

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Brown appeared in court earlier this week for a suppression hearing related to an aggravated robbery charge from 2021. He was out on a $200,000 bond for this charge when he was accused of the deadly shooting.

On Tuesday, new bond of $300,000 was issued for the aggravated robbery charge. Since he had previously posted a $200,000 bond, he would only need pay $100,000 to be released and put under house arrest. However, a $5 million bond remains for the charges he was indicted on today.

An arraignment date has not been set at this time. Brown is currently booked in the Butler County Jail, according to online jail records.

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