Walmart CEO Speaks Out About Shooting at Virginia Store

Walmart CEO Speaks Out About Shooting at Virginia Store
Law enforcement are at the scene of a shooting at a Walmart, in Chesapeake, Va., on Nov. 23, 2022. Alex Brandon/AP Photo
Tom Ozimek
Updated:
0:00

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has issued a statement in response to a shooting at one of the company’s Virginia stores that was carried out by an employee, leaving seven dead, including the gunman.

“The devastating news of last night’s shooting at our Chesapeake, VA store at the hands of one of our associates has hit our Walmart family hard,” McMillon said in a post on LinkedIn on Nov. 23.

“My heart hurts for our associates and the Chesapeake community who have lost or injured loved ones. We are here for them today and in the challenging days ahead, they will have our support,” he added, thanking first responders and others in helping to “navigate this tragedy.”

Police have identified the man who opened fire inside the Walmart in Chesapeake late Tuesday, as Andre Bing.

Walmart told news outlets in a statement that Bing had worked for the company for over a decade, and was an “overnight team lead” before his death.

Police said Bing died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Chesapeake Police Public Information Officer Leo Kosinski delivers an update to the press following a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Va., on Nov. 22, 2022. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Chesapeake Police Public Information Officer Leo Kosinski delivers an update to the press following a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Va., on Nov. 22, 2022. Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP

Timeline

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky told reporters during a news conference that the first 911 call came in at 10:12 p.m. on Tuesday night, and the first officers arrived at the store two minutes later.

Officers entered the store at 10:16 p.m. and declared the scene safe about four minutes later.

Bing was found dead in the store’s break room along with two others. A fourth person was found dead near the front of the store.

Three others were rushed to nearby hospitals but later succumbed to their wounds. At least six more victims were taken to hospitals for treatment, with two later discharged and one remaining in critical condition.

After the scene was cleared, police officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.

Solesky said Bing was not known to police before the shooting.

Law enforcement, including the FBI, work the scene of a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Va., on Nov. 23, 2022. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
Law enforcement, including the FBI, work the scene of a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Va., on Nov. 23, 2022. Alex Brandon/AP Photo
In the hours following the shooting, Walmart said in a post on social media that they’re assisting police with the investigation.

“We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store,” Walmart stated. “We’re praying for those impacted, the community, and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.”

The shooting brought back memories of a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso in 2019, when a gunman opened fire at the store, killing 22 people.

Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
Tom Ozimek
Tom Ozimek
Reporter
Tom Ozimek is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times. He has a broad background in journalism, deposit insurance, marketing and communications, and adult education.
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