Law enforcement work the scene of a mass taking pictures at a Walmart, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Chesapeake, Va. The retailer was busy simply earlier than the taking pictures Tuesday evening with individuals stocking up forward of the Thanksgiving vacation.
Alex Brandon | AP
A Walmart employee killed six individuals Tuesday evening earlier than taking his personal life on the Walmart Supercenter in Chesapeake, Virginia, police mentioned Wednesday.
The gunman was a disgruntled worker, a senior legislation enforcement official informed NBC News.
The bloodbath got here as individuals had been looking for last-minute Thanksgiving objects. The taking pictures additionally got here days earlier than Black Friday, when customers historically head to retailers akin to Walmart to purchase vacation presents at cut price costs.
CNBC has reached out to Walmart for touch upon the taking pictures and the investigation, in addition to about any safety considerations forward of Black Friday.
Walmart, in a Twitter publish early Wednesday morning, mentioned it was “shocked” over the taking pictures. “We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates,” the corporate mentioned. “We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.”
In June, Walmart mentioned it added a category to its retailer supervisor coaching program that focuses on recognizing workers and clients who may have an intervention for psychological well being points. Officials mentioned Wednesday that they had but to find out a “clear motive” for Tuesday’s rampage.
The taking pictures was reported to police shortly after 10 p.m. ET, and officers arrived on the scene inside minutes. Police declared the shop secure by 11:20 p.m., officers mentioned Wednesday.
An area hospital was treating different victims. The gunman used a pistol and apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot, police mentioned Wednesday. They did not instantly disclose his identification as a result of that they had but to inform his subsequent of kin.
Chesapeake Police and the Virginia State Police executed a search warrant on the suspect’s dwelling, and authorities consider there isn’t a additional danger to the general public, officers mentioned Wednesday.
The Chesapeake retailer will stay closed as authorities examine the taking pictures. That course of may take days, officers mentioned.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday known as the taking pictures a “horrific and senseless act of violence,” and mentioned the nation wanted to take stronger motion on weapons.
“We are grateful to the first responders who mobilized to assist victims, and I have directed federal officials to provide any support and assistance needed to the people of Chesapeake,” he mentioned in an announcement.
The Walmart bloodbath got here days after a lethal mass taking pictures over the weekend at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by which 5 individuals had been killed. In May, a white racist gunman shot up a Buffalo, New York, grocery retailer, killing 10 individuals in a predominantly Black neighborhood.
If you’re having suicidal ideas or are in misery, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for assist and help from a skilled counselor.
This is a growing story. Check again for updates.