7 Dead In Shooting At Virginia Walmart

Seven people, including the shooter, were killed when someone opened fire at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Tuesday night, city officials said.

Four people are being treated in area hospitals but their conditions are not known at this time, Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky told reporters Wednesday morning.

“The suspect is dead from what we believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Solesky said. 

Solesky confirmed the gunman was a Walmart employee and used a pistol  to carry out the attack.

The shooter’s motive is unknown at this time, he said.

Solesky said police could not release the identity of the shooter because his next of kin has not yet been notified.

Police also executed a search warrant at the shooter’s home.

“We have reason to believe that there’s no risk to the public at this time,” Solesky said.

The shooting took place just after 10 p.m. while the store was crowded with holiday shoppers.

At 10:12 p.m., 911 dispatchers received the first call about the shooting; the first officers arrived on the scene two minutes later and entered the store by 10:16 p.m.

“The scene was declared safe by 11:20 p.m.,” Solesky said.

One person was found dead outside the front entrance, but most victims were inside the store, police told WAVY-TV earlier.

The shooter, who reportedly worked at the store, opened fire on other employees inside a break room before eventually shooting himself, according to CNN and ABC News . Solesky said during the press conference that he could not confirm those reports, adding that the investigation is ongoing.

Walmart said in a statement it was “shocked.” 

“We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates,” the company said. “We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.”

President Joe Biden on Wednesday called the shooting “yet another horrific and senseless act of violence.”

“This year, I signed the most significant gun reform in a generation, but that is not nearly enough,” Biden said. “We must take greater action.”

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pledged to provide additional resources to law enforcement for the investigation.

“Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities,” Youngkin wrote on Twitter.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) wrote he was “sickened” by the violence.

Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas (D) said she was “heartbroken” over the bloodshed in her district.