Man with gun causes Walmart in Goodyear to be evacuated

PHOENIX — The Goodyear Police Department is searching for an armed man who forced the evacuation of a Walmart on Friday.

The incident occurred early Friday morning near Interstate 10 and Estrella Parkway, according to authorities.

Police said that officers responded to reports of a man with a gun at the Walmart, resulting in the evacuation of the 24-hour store.

No shots were fired and no injuries were reported, according to authorities.

Police said that the man was uncooperative and then fled out of the back of the supercenter and into a neighborhood to the west.

On Saturday, the suspect was identified as 34-year-old Christopher Mendoza.

He is described as a Hispanic male in his mid-30s and is about 5-foot-5 with facial tattoos, including one under his right eye and one on his neck that reads “cashion,” according to police.

Mendoza was last seen wearing a Dallas Cowboys hat and coat.

Police said Mendoza reportedly forced a man at gunpoint to drive him to Litchfield Road and MC85 in Avondale.

Mendoza is wanted by police on charges including kidnapping, disorderly conduct and aggravated assault on police.

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