Multiple people were killed and injured in a shooting that happened at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia. The shooter, who is now deceased, had shot his weapon indiscriminately and, with no regard for life, fired into the crowd.
On the same day Americans are celebrating Thanksgiving, gun violence in Chesapeake has come back to remind them of how little progress has been made on this issue. One day prior, there was another mass shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado that killed five people.
Police responded to a report of a shooting inside a Walmart, Public Information Officer Leo Kosinski said at media briefing. He confirmed that less than 10 people were dead and refused to reveal the exact number.
The identity of the shooter, who reportedly shot himself, is currently not known. Kosinski said that no shots were fired at the police to his knowledge.
Chesapeake Police confirm that there is an active shooter with fatalities at the Sam’s Circle area Walmart. They say the shooter has been killed.
Walmart released a statement early Wednesday morning, saying they were “shocked” after the incident at their Chesapeake store. Walmart is working closely with law enforcement during this investigation.
“We’re working closely with law enforcement and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, including our associates.
Five people have been treated at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, which is the area’s top trauma center. A spokesperson for Sentara Norfolk General Hospital told local TV station WAVY that three of those patients are in critical condition.
The police department did not respond immediately to a Reuters inquiry.
Violence that has no purpose.
“Absolutely heartbroken that America’s latest mass shooting took place in a Walmart in my district, Chesapeake, Va., tonight,” said Virginia state Senator Louise Lucas.
She said on Twitter that she refuses to stop until solutions are found and the violence epidemic is over.
This morning an armed man stormed into a major retailer and began shooting. This event occurred only two days before Americans got to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Tragically, our community is suffering from yet another incident of senseless gun violence just as families are gathering for Thanksgiving,” tweeted US congressman Bobby Scott.
The mass shooting happened at a major retailer less than 48 hours before Americans celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving.
The recent gun violence in America is heartbreaking. “Tragically, our community is suffering from yet another incident of senseless gun violence just as families are gathering for Thanksgiving,” tweeted U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia.
Gun violence occurs at an alarming rate in the United States, where more than 600 mass shootings have occurred so far in 2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive website.