A Columbia man is facing multiple charges after allegedly making threats to management and employees at the Waterloo Walmart, which resulted in a brief lockdown of the store early Thursday evening.

Waterloo police said that about 5:40 p.m., Walmart claimed that a man made verbal threats in the store as he was leaving and indicated he had a firearm. With assistance from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Waterloo police responded to the store and secured all entry ways. Walmart was placed on lockdown for about 20 minutes, Waterloo Police Chief Jim Trantham estimated. Customers inside the store heard a “Code Black” alert issued during the time of the incident, which originated in the automotive department.

“Information was developed that the threatening subject was at a residence in Columbia and Columbia police went to that residence and detained the suspect for us,” Trantham said.

The suspect, Ronald P. Fischer, 40, was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment by telephone and aggravated assault and issued a notice to appear in court.