STRONGSVILLE, Ohio (WJW) — The suspect in a deadly shooting that happened outside a Strongsville Costco on Saturday evening, April 25, faced a judge on Monday morning.

Christian M. Bryant, 22, of Fort Worth, Texas, is facing an unclassified felony count of murder, accused of shooting an employee outside the store, according to Strongsville police.

Bryant appeared via video call for arraignment in the Berea Municipal Court on Monday morning, where Judge Sean Kilbane set his bond at $5 million, as recommended by Strongsville police.

Officers responded at about 5:45 p.m. on Saturday to reports of gunfire outside the Costco on Royalton Road.

They found the victim, later identified as 61-year-old Randy Corrigan of Cleveland, with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, he later died. Police on Monday said he was an employee of the store.

Several good Samaritans stopped to aid Corrigan at the scene, one of them keeping pressure applied to his wounds, according to a police report.

The responding officer reported Corrigan had been shot several times, including in the chest, abdomen and right arm. He was breathing, conscious and able to answer questions at the scene, but “[it] was apparent his alertness was beginning to decline,” according to the report.

A Berea Municipal Court document obtained by FOX 8 said witnesses told police the suspect was seen walking toward the front doors of Costco with a “drum magazine protruding from one of his pockets.” An employee reportedly approached him and said he couldn’t enter with the weapon.

He reportedly took out a semi-automatic handgun with the drum magazine and shot the victim.

In the court document, Bryant reportedly fired one round at the victim and then “after a split second pause, fired many more, one after another, with no pause.”

Police said the victim did brandish a pocket knife when the suspect took out the gun and then shot him.

Bryant told police at the time of his arrest, according to the court document, that “a white man approached me with a knife for no reason” and “I defended myself.”

Reiterating his case, Bryant told the court during his Monday arraignment, “This man approached me with a knife.”

Judge Kilbane advised Bryant to refrain from making statements until conferring his attorney.

Bryant may face additional charges after the case is presented to a Cuyahoga County grand jury, according to police.

During the Monday hearing, Strongsville police Detective Zaki Hazou said Bryant is a truck driver who was passing through Ohio. Hazou requested a $5 million bond.

Hazou said Bryant is a high school graduate and that he has a prior criminal record, though he is not currently under probationary supervision or parole. He previously lived in Illinois, he said.

A victim’s advocate speaking Monday on behalf of Corrigan’s family said his relatives wish for “justice to be served” and for anyone who witnessed the Saturday shooting to come forward and deliver a statement to police.

FOX 8 News has reached out to Costco for a statement on the incident.

‘On high alert’

The store reopened on Sunday, April 26, but shoppers said the impact of what happened is still being felt.

“Everyone seems like they’re on high alert with everything going on,” said shopper Sam Sottosanti.

Many shoppers returned to the store on Sunday. Some said they weighed the risks, but still had everyday errands to take care of.

“I had friends who were here [Saturday] night when it happened, and it was quite upsetting,” shopper Dawn Ballachino said.

“I needed things and I figured that risk would probably be low the day after. But yeah, pretty upsetting.”

Others said the shooting serves as a reminder to stay aware, no matter where you are.

“So, definitely eye-opening when we decided we were going to come here today. We had a lot of big purchases to do, of course. I called them, made sure everything was safe. They said they were open till six [Sunday] and everything was as normal, so definitely wanted to be vigilant,” said Sottosanti.

While fear isn’t stopping some, many said they’re thinking differently.

“You just have to be vigilant and careful, but we need to go grocery shopping and we need to get our stuff done,” said Ballachino.

Sottosanti said shoppers should be aware of their surroundings.

“Know your ‘twos’: Two exits and two ways to get out, you know?” Sottosanti said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. They have asked witnesses to come forward.

https://fox8.com/news/victim-in-strongsville-costco-shooting-identified/

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