Disgruntled employee tries to burn down Prescott Walmart

A Prescott woman was stopped by police before she carried out a plan to kill her co-workers and burn down the Walmart where she worked, officials said Sunday.

Early Saturday morning, Prescott police arrested 24-year-old Ebonice Johnson after discovering her in the back of the store, located off State Route 69, with a .22-caliber rifle she said she intended to use, according to a Prescott Police Department press release.

Earlier in the day, Johnson got into an argument with several co-workers during an early morning shift, police said. She was frustrated with her manager and unhappy with how a situation was handled, breaking a cash register before leaving the store, according to police.

Johnson went home and retrieved the rifle, a knife and a torch before writing on her computer about her intentions to kill her co-workers and die by forcing police to shoot her, Prescott police said. Williams also texted family members telling them of her plans, according to police.

Prescott police, in the press release, gave the following account of what happened next:

At 6:24 a.m. Saturday, Johnson parked in front of the store and retrieved her rifle. A customer in the parking lot noticed Johnson with the rifle and notified a manager who then contacted police. While police were responding, Johnson attempted to load the rifle to no avail and decided to use the knife; however, she dropped it and was unable to find it in the dark. After the rifle and knife failure, Johnson decided to use the torch she had brought to burn the store down; however, by the time police arrived, the small pile of debris had self-extinguished.

After a search of Johnson's home, police said they believe her sole motivation was based on her dissatisfaction with her job.

Johnson was booked on suspicion of premeditated attempted homicide, arson of an occupied structure and weapons misconduct, Prescott police said.

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