According to Action 5 News, It is believed that the shooter who killed 1 person and injured 12 others at a Kroger supermarket outside of Memphis, Tennessee on Thursday is an employee. One of their employees said that his co-worker recognized the shooter as a Kroger employee and family members also confirmed it.
The Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane was not able to provide details about the shooter, saying that those details were part of the investigation. He said, “no credible evidence there was a second shooter,’ and ‘as far as we know there was no other incident leading up to this.”
The authorities are still trying to figure out a motive they do not yet know who is responsible. they said that after the rampage the shooter killed himself. Employees hid in freezers and locked closets. They were lucky to be alive after such a terrifying experience.
Four people were listed in critical condition at the Regional One Hospital by 4 pm. Five others are not considered to be as critically injured, but still, need medical attention for their injuries. Two patients were transported to the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis While another patient was discharged after treatment at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Collierville.
One of the victims was in surgery while another is currently admitted to ICU.
There were 44 employees inside the grocery store at the time of the shooting. It took place at a Kroger in Collierville, a suburb just east of Memphis. The SWAT team and FBI responded quickly to the scene. They went aisle-to-aisle in search of the shooter.
A report of an active shooter on the scene was received by the police department at 1:30 pm. The first officers arrived four minutes later on the scene. The shooter’s car was still being searched after police securing the store and confirming the shooter was dead. Investigators are looking for evidence that could lead them to his identity or motive.
One employee named, Brignetta Dickerson, a Kroger employee for 32 years, shared her experience during the horror. According to her, she acted dead in order to avoid being seen by the shooter. ‘He started popping that gun. It sounded a bit like a balloon popping. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap — just like that.”
She added that she witnessed a male colleague being shot in the head, and even after sustaining an injury so severe that he was still able to talk. “This right here is not going to stop me from working,” she said. “I’m going to work on.”
Collierville Chief of Police Dale Lane said that this Memphis shooting is the most horrific event to happen in Collierville history. “This scene is horrific, I’ve been involved in this for 34 years and never seen anything like it.”
Several people heard at least a dozen shots fired. The employees hid in the freezer as customers flee the scene.
The active SWAT team officers helped the employees to safety. One of the employees was rescued on the roof. A Fox 13 TV reporter has seen three victims lying on the ground, though their condition is unknown at this time. There were two medical helicopters in the area to evacuate victims.
Chief Lane said at a news conference Thursday night that there is no additional threat to the community.
The supermarket chain said: The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts, prayers, and support to the individuals and families of the victims during this difficult time. We are cooperating with local law enforcement, who have secured the store and parking lot. The store will remain closed while the police investigation continues, and we have initiated counseling services for our associates.
Investigators are working to understand what led up the shooting and have no information about a motive at this time.
A Kroger employee, Glenda McDonald, said she was not injured but was shaken. When she heard a loud noise that sounded similar to a gunshot, she walked out of the back office to the floral counter. “I just ran out the door. I left my purse, my keys, everything.”
The region’s schools were placed on lockdown. Parents of students at Collierville High School was informed that there was a shooting off-campus. The lockdown was announced but it has since been lifted.
Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agents helped the investigation. The Memphis Police Department has sent additional personnel to help with the investigation.
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