Walmart employee shoots colleagues in break room; 7 dead in action

A Walmart supermarket employee was held responsible for the shooting that killed 7 people last night in the US state of Virginia. According to local broadcaster ABC News, the gunman entered the break room at the store and began shooting at his colleagues before killing himself.

“We believe he sustained a gunshot wound to himself,” Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky said at a news conference, adding that the gunman opened fire with a pistol. The cause of the attack is still unknown.

Briana Tyler, who worked in an interview with “Good Morning America,” said she and her fellow co-workers were preparing to start their shifts when the attack began. “I looked and saw my manager opened the door and fired,” she said. “He didn’t say a word, he didn’t say anything.”

“I hadn’t quite seen him until that moment. He turned the corner and started shooting. He fired at the first person in sight. Then he started shooting all over the canopy but didn’t say anything.” word.”

At the time of the crime, the store was busy with several customers preparing for Thanksgiving, which is celebrated tomorrow (24th) in the United States.

On social networks, Walmart regretted what had happened and said the company was cooperating with the investigations.

“We are shocked by this tragic incident that occurred at our store in Chesapeake, Virginia. We pray for those affected, the community and our partners. We work closely with law enforcement and are focused on supporting our partners,” the company tweeted. .

Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas said she was “sorry that the latest mass murder in the United States took place tonight at a Walmart in my area in Chesapeake, Virginia.”

“I will not rest until I find solutions to end this epidemic of gun violence that has claimed so many lives in our country,” he wrote on Twitter.

Virginia Deputy Governor Winsome Earle-Sears called the action “pointless.” “Our hearts ache for the victims in Chesapeake and the families who lost their loved ones in another senseless act of violence. We pray for our community,” she wrote.

Chesapeake Mayor Rick W. West expressed his sadness and sympathy for the victims and their families.

“I was devastated by the senseless act of violence that took place in our city last night. My prayers are with all those affected – victims, families, friends and colleagues,” he said.

“I am grateful for the swift action taken by the first responders who rushed to the crime scene. Chesapeake is a tight-knit community and we are all touched by the news. Together, we will support each other to get through this time.”

More than 30 attacks in the US in 2022 alone

In 2022 alone, the country recorded 36 mass murders, according to Gun Violence, an organization that collects data on gun attacks in the United States.

One of the most recent incidents was at an LGBTQ bar in Colorado, which killed at least five people and injured 18.

After the incident, Democratic President Joe Biden said he had signed a gun safety bill, but said “more needs to be done” to tackle the “public health epidemic of gun violence” and highlighted “the injustices that contribute to violence against LGBTQI+ persons”. . “We cannot tolerate hate.”

*with information from AFP