A confrontation at a suburban Ohio warehouse store turned deadly Saturday evening after a man allegedly opened fire on an employee who tried to stop him from entering with a gun.
STRONGSVILLE, OH – A 61-year-old Costco employee died after being shot multiple times outside a store on Royalton Road, and a 22-year-old suspect now faces a murder charge following what police described as a rapid and sustained burst of gunfire during the encounter.
Officers were called to the scene around 5:43 p.m. Saturday, where they found Randolph E. Corrigan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen, and arm. Bystanders were already attempting to help, applying pressure to his injuries before first responders took over. Corrigan was transported to MetroHealth, where he later died.
Police said Corrigan was initially conscious and able to speak, but “it was apparent his alertness was beginning to decline” before he was pronounced dead, according to court documents cited by local reports.
What led to the confrontation
Authorities allege the incident began when Corrigan confronted Christian M. Bryant as he approached the store carrying a firearm. Witnesses told investigators they could see a drum magazine protruding from Bryant’s pocket.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Bryant pulled out a black semiautomatic handgun during the encounter. Corrigan then produced a pocket knife. Bryant allegedly fired at least one shot, causing Corrigan to fall, then paused briefly before continuing.
After a “split-second pause,” Bryant “fired many more, one after another, with no pause,” investigators stated in the affidavit. Police recovered 13 spent .40-caliber shell casings at the scene and seized a Springfield XD-40 handgun equipped with a drum magazine containing 37 rounds, along with one round in the chamber.
Suspect claims self-defense in custody and court
While being taken into custody, Bryant repeatedly told officers, “a white man approached me with a knife for no reason,” and added, “I defended myself,” according to the affidavit. He attempted to repeat that claim during his court appearance, stating, “This man approached me with a knife,” before being stopped by his attorney.
Police initially described the shooting as “an incident between two individuals” and later asked witnesses to come forward as the investigation progressed. By Monday, Bryant was formally charged with one count of murder.
Bryant, identified as a truck driver traveling through Ohio, remained at the scene and was taken into custody without incident. A detective told the court Bryant has a prior criminal record but is not currently on probation or parole.
Bryant appeared Monday in Berea Municipal Court, where a judge set bond at $5 million. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury, and authorities said additional charges could be considered.
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