At least 10 persons were killed and injured in a shooting at a Walmart on Tuesday night in Chesapeake, Virginia, according to police.
Less than an hour before it closed, at 10:12 p.m., police arrived at the store and discovered the victims and gunfire evidence, according to Chesapeake Police public relations officer Leo Kosinski.
Because police were still combing the store overnight in search of potential additional casualties or persons who may be hiding, Kosinski said it is possible that specific information regarding the number of people killed or injured won’t be available until later on Wednesday. Earlier, he stated that according to police, “fewer than ten” people have died.
“We’re just a couple hours past the initial incident, so everything is very fluid, very new right now,” Kosinski said.
Kosinski stated that the gunman is thought to be among the deceased and added that it is unlikely that any law enforcement personnel opened fire in response.
According to a law enforcement source, investigators say the shooter was a current or former worker of the business who started shooting at other workers in a break area.
Chesapeake city officials asked people to stay away from the store during the investigation. “Our first responders are well-trained and prepared to respond; please give them space to do so,” the city said in a tweet.
“We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store,” Walmart said in a statement. “We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates,” the statement said.
Joetta Jeffery told newsmen that her mother, Betsy Umphlett, sent her texts from inside the store during the shooting, alerting her that someone had opened fire.
“I’m crying, I’m shaking. I had just talked to her about buying turkeys for Thanksgiving, then this text came in,” Jeffery said.
She claimed that her mother has been reunited with her and is unharmed but in shock. According to local officials, a reunion center has been established at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Only members of the customer’s personal family and emergency contacts are to travel to the center, according to their request.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ field office in Washington, DC, is aiding the local police with their investigation, the bureau announced on Twitter.