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.
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.
