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The man responsible for the shooting at a Virginia Walmart on Tuesday was a store manager who opened fire at fellow employees while inside the break room, according to witness testimony from an employee present during the shooting. The shooter killed six people and injured four.
Walmart employees had gathered inside the break room on Tuesday evening as the store was experiencing a busy night, with several people stocking up on groceries ahead of Thanksgiving. Chesapeake police then received a call reporting an active shooter situation at the store at 10:12 p.m., arriving at the building just two minutes later.
SIX DEAD AFTER VIRGINIA WALMART SHOOTING, POLICE CONFIRM SHOOTER WAS EMPLOYEE
“I looked up and my manager just opened the door and he just opened fire,” employee Briana Tyler told ABC’s Good Morning America. “He didn’t say a word. He didn’t say anything at all.”
As the shooter opened fire inside the break room, several employees hit the floor to avoid getting hit, Tyler said.
“It didn’t even look real until you could feel the … ‘pow-pow-pow,’ you can feel it,” said Jessica Wilczewski, another Walmart employee. “I couldn’t hear it at first because I guess it was so loud, I could feel it.”
Police have not yet publicly identified the shooter. However, Walmart officials confirmed the employee’s identity is Andre Bing who worked as an overnight team lead at the Chesapeake Walmart since 2010.
“While details of the tragic incident in our Chesapeake, Virginia store are still emerging, authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities. We are focused on doing everything we can to support our associates and their families at this time,” the company said in a statement to local news outlet WAVY. “We are thankful for the local first responders and will continue to work with local law enforcement as they continue their investigation.
By the time police arrived at 10:14 p.m., the shooting appeared to have ceased, and officials entered the premises and began searching the scene for victims at 10:16 p.m.
The scene was declared safe by 10:20 p.m., according to officials. Upon entering the scene, police found the suspect already deceased from a gunshot wound, which they believe was self-inflicted. Police believe he was working alone and have declared no risk to the public at this time.
Officials spent several hours after the incident sweeping the store to search for victims or people who may have been hiding, according to police. Police confirmed they will continue processing the scene over the next few days, and the store will remain closed during this process.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
In response to the shooting, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has ordered all U.S. and state flags at local, state, and federal buildings to be lowered to half-staff from Wednesday until Sunday at sunset.
“Our hearts break with the community of Chesapeake this morning,” Youngkin said. “I remain in contact with law enforcement officials throughout this morning and have made available any resources as this investigation moves forward. Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities.”
