A shooting at a Walmart supermarket in Chesapeake, Virginia, in the eastern part of the United States, left seven dead including the killer during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, shortly before Thanksgiving celebrations and after one last killing in the end week at a Colorado LGBT stall that sparked outrage across the nation.
“Chesapeake Police confirm seven fatalities, including the killer, after last night’s shooting at Walmart on Sam’s Circle,” the law enforcement account tweeted.
Earlier, local police spokesman Leo Kosinski told reporters, “We found several dead and several injured. The intervention teams had arrived “immediately” after an emergency call at 22:00 (4:00 French time on Wednesday) in the shop still open at the time.
“No more than 10 dead”
Very quickly, Leo Kosinski specified that the shooting “didn’t kill more than 10 people”.
Several police officers were present at the scene of the shooting, according to images released by the media. Investigators combed the supermarket and secured the area, Leo Kosinski said.
“We are shocked by this tragic event in our Chesapeake, Virginia store,” Walmart tweeted. “We pray for those affected, the community and our collaborators. We work closely with law enforcement agencies and are dedicated to supporting our employees,” adds the American supermarket giant.
Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas said she was “deeply heartbroken that America’s latest mass shooting occurred tonight at a Walmart in my Chesapeake district.” “I will find no rest until we find solutions to end this endemic gun violence that has stolen so many lives in our country,” the senator continued on Twitter.
It could be an employee
“Tragically, our community is experiencing another instance of senseless gun violence just as families gather for Thanksgiving,” he celebrated Thursday, Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott tweeted.
The alleged killer was an employee, police said, confirming the rumours. “The suspect died of what we believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky, Virginia, said at a news conference.
The Chesapeake Walmart shooting comes three days after another Saturday night shooting in Colorado Springs (downtown) that left five dead and at least 18 injured at an LGBTQ club commemorating Transgender Day of Remembrance that night, dedicated to victims of the violence transphobic and internationally celebrated.
The United States is a regular scene of mass killings and other armed violence. More than 600 mass shootings have occurred since the start of this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. However, the arms control issue remains politically sensitive, and Congress remains reluctant to tighten legislation in this area.
