Video: Man In Golf Cart Speeds Through Walmart, Strikes Customers

GIBSONTON, FL — Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies got a workout Thursday when they chased after a man who was speeding through the Gibsonton Walmart in a golf cart, attempting to run over customers.

According to the sheriff's office, around 12:30 p.m., deputies were called to the Walmart at 9205 Gibsonton Drive after receiving a report of a man in a golf cart who was blocking the liquor store entrance, demanding to talk with a manager.

While deputies were speaking to the golf cart driver, Michael Hudson, 56, he suddenly accelerated and drove the golf cart through the heavily congested pedestrian area in front of the store toward the main entrance, nearly striking customers who scattered to avoid being hit.

Deputies repeatedly ordered Hudson to stop, but he continued driving the golf cart at a high speed and crashed through the glass front doors of the main store entrance. Hudson continued driving the golf cart into the checkout area of the store, striking several customers and forcing others to jump out of the way to avoid being run over.

Hudson ultimately crashed into a cash register, and nearby deputies took him into custody. He was transported to Tampa General Hospital for medical treatment.

He has been charged with trespass after warning, resisting arrest without violence, felony criminal mischief and multiple counts of aggravated battery with a motor vehicle.

A few customers received treatment at the scene by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, but no customers were transported to the hospital.

On Sunday, this same Walmart store was evacuated when a Valrico man called in a threat to "shoot up your store." The threat came a day after 22 people were fatally shot at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

Wayne Lee Padgett, 31, was arrested after admitting to calling in a false threat to the Gibsonton Walmart where his mother worked.