Man killed in Bedford Kroger parking lot

BEDFORD, Texas - An argument in a Bedford grocery store parking lot led to deadly gunfire Monday night.

Bedford police said there was a confrontation between two men outside the Kroger store on Harwood Road near Central Drive around 5 p.m. Monday evening.

Police believe the violence started after 28-year-old Sam Smith ding or damaged the door of the suspect’s vehicle. Both men stated they had guns and exchanged threats.

The suspect told police he was sitting in his vehicle when Smith approached in a threatening manner and reach behind his back. He said he believed Smith was reaching for a gun so he took out his licensed handgun and fired multiple shots.

Witnesses described a wild scene right after the shooting.

"Cop, a lot of people, everybody just started kind of tried to find out what's going on. I was working so I'm just kind of like peeking trying to see what was going on. It was very scary," said Jessica Perez.

Smith was taken to the hospital where he later died. Police determined he did not actually have a gun.

The suspect stayed at the scene and has been cooperating with police. He was initially arrested for murder, but released by a judge pending further investigation of probably cause.

No one else was hurt in the shooting.