Seven dead, including shooter
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Six people were killed in a shooting at a Walmart just off Battlefield Boulevard on Tuesday night, officials say. in Chesapeake, Virginia.
The suspect also committed suicide, police said.
Police said several casualties were found inside the building where the shooting took place. A greeter on duty at the time told WAVY that filming had begun in the back of the store. Also, one dead body was found outside the front door.
The call to report the shooting came in at 10:12 p.m. Tuesday, while the Walmart Supercenter was still open to the public. The night shift employee had just checked in recently.
Chesapeake held a press conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday to give an update on the investigation. Police Chief Mark Solesky confirmed the shooter was a store employee and used a pistol. On Wednesday afternoon, Walmart officials confirmed the identity of the shooter to Walmart employee Andre Bing, who served as the night shift team leader.
Read Walmart’s full statement below.
Details of the tragic incident at the Chesapeake, Virginia store have yet to be revealed, but authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities.At this time, we are doing everything we can to support our employees and their families I am focused on doing things. The suspect has been identified as André Bing. We can confirm that he was a Walmart employee. Andre’s position in the company is his leader of the night team and has been with the company since 2010. He appreciates local first responders and will continue to work with local law enforcement as they continue their investigation.
Walmart spokesperson
Six people died from their injuries, Solesky said. The perpetrator is believed to have died of self-inflicted injuries.
A spokeswoman for Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, the closest Level 1 trauma center in the area, confirmed five patients were being treated there. Of these patients he is described as having 2 later died, 2 still in critical condition and 1 patient in good condition.
10 On Your Side confirmed to Chesapeake Regional that it treated five patients in Tuesday night’s shooting. One of those patients died from his injuries. Her remaining four have been discharged from the hospital, a spokesperson confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
Police identified five of the six victims Wednesday night. The sixth victim, a 16-year-old male, has not been identified as he was a minor.
The victims identified are Bryan Pendleton, 38, Chesapeake, Randy Blevins, 70, Chesapeake, Kelly Pyle, 52, Chesapeake, Lorenzo Gamble, 43, and Tineka, 22. Johnson of Portsmouth.
KaMaria Braye of 10 On Your Side interviewed a Walmart employee who witnessed the shooting.
According to eyewitnesses, 14 employees were waiting in the conference room on the day the shooting began to learn their duties.
Witnesses added they believed the shooting was planned and targeted other managers at that particular Walmart.At one point, a witness told 10 On Your Side that the suspect was laughing. say that you heard
A large police response was mobilized outside the store after the shooting was reported, with FBI agents and Virginia Beach police responding to assist the Chesapeake. His ATF in Washington tweeted shortly after midnight that they were also en route to cooperating with the investigation. Kosinski said police entered the store after being called and searched for the victim for about 30 to 45 minutes.
The Chesapeake Conference Center was set up as a reunion place for store employees and their families.
Employees also gathered at the nearby Sam’s Club to take attendance. Night shift employee talking to WAVY’s Brett Hall “I’m sorry I was late,” he said.
The employee’s mother said she heard gunshots while on the phone with her son. After the shoot, she was in perfect physical condition.
Meanwhile, an employee who was in the store at the time told WAVY that a teenage employee was shot.
Walmart issued a statement Wednesday morning, saying, “We are shocked by this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store. Our prayers are with those affected, our community and our fellow workers. We work closely with law enforcement and are focused on supporting our employees.”
The shooting shocked many, as current and former Walmart employees speaking to WAVY said the store felt like home.
“I’ve spoken on the phone with a few other friends and customers who were former employees, and we’re all incredible,” a former store employee said Wednesday morning of the injured person at the store. Trying to get an answer. Convention Center.
WAVY’s Craig Loper spoke outside Norfolk General Wednesday morning with Debra Hazlett, whose brother was one of the shooting victims. The victim, who has worked at Chesapeake Walmart for nearly 20 years, called his family around 10:18 p.m. and said he had been shot. Hazlett says he was relieved to hear what he was talking about. He had been at work for about 10 minutes when he was shot.
Comedian Jay Pharoah, a Chesapeake Saturday Night Live alum, wrote: My heart aches for those who do not get the chance to return home. He also offers his condolences to the families who have lost their homes and are suffering. If there’s anything I’m grateful for this holiday, it’s my family’s life and mine. Thank God we weren’t caught in it. I pray that everyone I know is safe. Pray for Chesapeake and keep Va in mind this holiday season. ”
Virginia Senator Louise Lucas, who represents that part of Chesapeake, issued a statement Tuesday night, saying: I will not rest until we find solutions to end the epidemic of gun violence in this country that has claimed so many lives. ”
Several other elected officials in Virginia shared tweets and other statements early Wednesday morning.
