By At least 7 dead, including suspect, in shooting at a Walmart in Virginia, police say
At least seven people, including the suspect, are dead after a shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, officials said.
“Chesapeake Police confirm 7 fatalities, including the shooter, from last night’s shooting at Walmart on Sam’s Circle,” the City of Chesapeake said in a tweet early Wednesday morning.
Chesapeake Police Department Officer Leo Kosinski had told reporters earlier that the number of fatalities was believed to be “less than 10.”
The shooting at the Walmart Supercenter was reported to police shortly after 10 p.m., Kosinski said.
Police believe the shooting happened inside the Walmart. One person was found deceased outside the store, he said.
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital was treating five victims, a spokesperson for the health care system said, but their conditions were not released.
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Kosinski told reporters he didn’t know how the shooter died. He said he didn’t believe the shooter was shot by police. It was not clear if any of the victims or the shooter were employees.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington said it was responding to the shooting.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., tweeted: “Sickened by reports of yet another mass shooting, this time at a Walmart in Chesapeake. I’ll be monitoring developments closely.”
A reunification site was set up at the Chesapeake Conference Center for immediate family members or emergency contacts, the city said.
“It’s sad. We’re a couple days before the Thanksgiving holiday,” Kosinski said, adding, “It’s just a bad time all around, just for everybody involved — especially the victims. This is horrible.”
Kosinski said he hoped that police would be able to release the number of deceased on Wednesday.
Walmart said that its thoughts were with everyone affected, and that it was fully cooperating with law enforcement and supporting its employees.
“We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates.”
