A man wielding a machete unsuccessfully tried to kidnap a child inside a Walmart Friday, and when he was chased from the store, he tried to snatch an infant in the parking lot, police said.

Billy Yoe Budier-Herrera, 33, approached a woman and her 2-year-old son, who was seated in a shopping cart. He told her the boy would die if she did not listen to his instructions, according to Kenner Police.

She tried to walk away. Buddier-Herrera blocked her path and placed his hand on the handle of the machete, police said. The woman asked employees for help and grabbed her son and ran behind a deli counter. Employees chased the fleeing Budier-Herrera, who started swinging his machete at them.

Budier-Herrera continued to run through the parking lot when he saw another mother and her infant, who was strapped into a shopping cart, according to investigators. He tried to grab the child but could not remove the straps before being tackled by employees and an off-duty police officer who was working at the store.

Budier-Herrera was in possession of the 10-inch machete, pepper spray and a shiv made with a plastic handle and razor blades taped to it, police said.

He was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, aggravated assault, illegal carrying of weapons, disturbing the peace and an immigration detainer, according to police.

About the Author

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC