Walmart apologized Wednesday after photos surfaced on social media of a gun rack at one of its stores topped with a sign that read: “Own the school year like a hero.”
Images of the gun rack began appearing on Twitter early Wednesday morning. Initially, Walmart’s social media team claimed in response to the images that the incident had taken place at store #1341, in Evansville, Indiana.
However, in a phone call with TPM, spokesperson Charles Crowson said the company had identified the wrong store.
“We incorrectly identified the Evansville store,” Crowson said. “We’ve corrected that and are now trying to find the accurate store.”
Damn, @Walmart wtf# you tryin to promote here? Hunting season or shoot the school up any kind of season? #Walmart#Shotguns#Guns#School pic.twitter.com/q8sOayiMKA
— ☄ leeanna may ☄ (@TeamBenjiDCMA) August 9, 2017
Correcting Walmart’s initial claims on social media, Crowson said he didn’t know for sure that the sign — the placement of which recalled numerous deadly school shootings — had been taken down.
“This sign had no business there and was taken down as soon as we were alerted,” the company had tweeted initially.
Yes, this is terrible, Jordan. This sign had no business there and was taken down as soon as we were alerted. We are very sorry. -Dean
— Walmart (@Walmart) August 9, 2017
This post has been updated.