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Austin Police Prevent Wal-Mart Mass Shooting

Edward William Eberle, 51, a former Wal-Mart employee, was arrested Thursday, May 1, 2008, in the Austin store where he had worked with a 9mm handgun and an 'unureasonable' amount of ammunition. (AP)

AUSTIN, TX — Police arrested a former Wal-Mart employee in an Austin store last week with a 9 mm handgun and numerous rounds of ammunition, according to arrest affidavits.

Edward William Eberle, 51, left a note Thursday morning to his wife giving her permission to “sell any story you wanna tell” and sent a text message to his sister telling her to turn her TV on, the Austin American-Statesman reported in its online edition Monday.

Eberle’s wife called 911 at about 3 p.m. Thursday after she found a note from him telling her that: “I have chosen a life in prison. ... I’ll try to die soon. Please return my library book and walk Cassie,” a police affidavit said.

About two hours later, police found Eberle in the Wal-Mart, which the affidavit said was teeming with customers and employees.

Police said he had a gun near his chest and an “unreasonable amount of ammunition, leading one to believe that he had the intentions of using the handgun and ammunition he had in his possession.”

Eberle was charged with making a terroristic threat and unlawfully carrying a weapon in a place that is licensed to sell alcohol. Both crimes are third-degree felonies that carry up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

An attorney for Eberle could not immediately be reached Monday by The Associated Press.

Eberle had worked at the Wal-Mart from September until March but was unable to keep his job because of ongoing pain, according to police affidavits.

“We deeply appreciate the quick actions of the Austin police to bring the situation under control, ensuring the safety and security of our customers and associates,” Wal-Mart spokesman Dan Fogleman said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

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