A shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia Tuesday night left at least seven people dead and others injured, according to the Chesapeake Police Department.
A spokesperson said Chesapeake police responded to an “active shooter” call at the store located along Battlefield Blvd. at approximately 10:12 p.m. When officers arrived, they coordinated with a tactical team to enter the store, where they found multiple bodies, said Chesapeake police spokesman Leo Kosinski.
The shooting happened inside the store, but police confirmed at least one body was found at its entrance, Kosinski said at a briefing. Over 35 to 40 minutes later, officers walked throughout the store, where they found multiple people dead and rescued other victims, he added.
“It’s sad. We’re a couple of days before the Thanksgiving holiday,” Kosinski added. The City of Chesapeake confirmed at least seven fatalities, including the lone gunman, but said many details are pending the police investigation.
“We’re only a few hours into the response, so we don’t have all the answers yet. Chesapeake Police continue their investigation into the active shooter event at Walmart on Sam’s Circle. We do know there are multiple fatalities plus injuries and the shooter is confirmed dead,” a tweet read.
Police did not specify if the shooter was an employee of the store. Walmart, Inc. said it was “shocked” by the shooting and that it was cooperating with law enforcement efforts.
Several state and national lawmakers also addressed the shooting. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, said he was “sickened” and urged residents not to travel near the area. “Sickened by reports of yet another mass shooting, this time at a Walmart in Chesapeake. I’ll be monitoring developments closely,” Warner tweeted. (SOURCE)
