Gunman down after killing 1, injuring 12 in shooting at supermarket on outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee
One person has been killed and a dozen more injured in a shooting at a Kroger supermarket in Collierville, Tennessee, local law enforcement said. The gunman died at the scene from what officers believe was a self-inflicted wound.
A gunman opened fire on Thursday at a Kroger branch in Collierville, a town located on the outskirts of Memphis. One person was shot dead, 12 were injured, and the suspect ended his rampage by apparently taking his own life. The shooting took place at around 1.30pm local time.
Police officers from multiple departments responded to the incident, and SWAT teams cleared the store “aisle to aisle, room to room,” Collierville Chief of Police Dale Lane told reporters. “I’ve been involved in this for 34 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Lane said, noting that some of the injuries were “very serious.”
Active shooter situation at the Kroger in Collierville, Tennessee. Video taken by Jason Lusk. pic.twitter.com/PaZNBSIfaM
— Chad (@ChadBlue83) September 23, 2021
BREAKING Massive scene at Kroger on Byhalia at Poplar in Collierville. Reports of active shooter. @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/tyQ5yfP7gh
— Zaneta Lowe (@wregzaneta) September 23, 2021
Video footage showed several ambulances rushing to a local hospital, with at least one carrying multiple victims. Local reporter Stacy Jacobson said her crew was instructed not to move their vehicle parked outside the hospital, as staff there were “preparing for helicopter landings.”
Police had to rescue Kroger employee who had taken shelter on the roof. Others were found hiding in freezers @3onyoursidepic.twitter.com/XlFQkNABTz
— Luke Jones (@LukeJonesTV) September 23, 2021
While one image circulated online showing a man standing on the supermarket’s roof, with some suggesting he may have been the shooter, Lane confirmed the person was, in fact, a Kroger employee.
The store chain later issued a statement on the shooting, saying it is “deeply saddened” and that “the entire Kroger family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to the individuals and families of the victims during this difficult time.” The Collierville location will remain closed until police complete their investigation, the company added. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) said they are assisting the probe.
Collierville schools went into lockdown as a precaution as the incident unfolded, with an alert sent to parents warning of an off-campus active shooter nearby. The lockdown has since been lifted, according to Fox.
Police are questioning witnesses and preparing to search the suspect’s vehicle, which is parked at the scene.
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