A Walmart assistant manager shot in the abdomen March 16 at the Anchorage store where he worked remains in critical condition nearly two weeks later.
Police said Daniel Pirtle, 45, shot Jason "Bulla" Mahi, 33, during a busy Saturday afternoon at the Walmart on A Street. Pirtle had entered the store with a young dog that was not on a leash, police said. Pirtle, a double amputee driving a motorized shopping cart, became angry when Walmart employees asked him to restrain the dog or leave, police said. As the employees escorted Pirtle out of the store, he pulled out a gun and shot Mahi, police said.
An off-duty police sergeant caught Pirtle as he drove the cart out the store's front entrance. Pirtle is charged with assault and weapons misconduct.
The store did not close, and many shoppers were unaware of the shooting afterward.
Medics rushed Mahi to Providence Alaska Medical Center in stable but critical condition, police said. On Friday, a spokeswoman for the hospital said Mahi was still listed in critical condition.
Mahi's family issued a written statement to news reporters Thursday thanking everyone who had expressed concern for his well-being. Anyone hoping to honor "Bulla," as he is known, can donate blood to the Blood Bank of Alaska, Mahi's family said. Financial contributions to help the family with its expenses can also be deposited at any Wells Fargo bank branch to the Jason "Bulla" Mahi Donation Fund, the statement said.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
By CASEY GROVE