Man killed while defending his mother in Walmart parking lot, family says

GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) - North Carolina authorities say no charges will be filed in a fatal shooting that happened earlier this week in a Walmart parking lot.

According to Garner police, Colton Valdez was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Walmart on Fayetteville Road on Tuesday.

Valdez’s family said he got into an argument with the man who killed him. They say the man was cursing and yelling at Valdez’s mom as she tried to back out of a parking spot and that’s when Valdez confronted him.

During the confrontation, Valdez pulled out a BB gun. The other man saw the weapon, pulled out a handgun, and opened fire.

The shooter stayed at the scene and cooperated with police in their investigation.

The victim’s mother, Kathy Valdez, said Colton Valdez was shot defending her.

According to the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, the shooting was justified.

Authorities said the man who killed Colton Valdez believed the BB gun was a real gun that threatened his life. Therefore, he had a right to protect himself under the law and would not face criminal charges.