Walmart Manager Opens Fire In Break Room, Kills 6 Staff Members
CNN reports Tuesday night (November 22, 2022) a Walmart manager went into the break room as employees gathered for a meeting before their shift began. One day before Thanksgiving, this is the second major shooting in Virginia in less than a week. The manager according to authorities is identified as, 31-year-old Andre Bing. He was a team leader at Walmart since 2010.
The store was full of holiday shoppers Tuesday night as overnight workers arrived to begin working at the Chesapeake, Virginia Walmart. Bing's fellow team member, Briana Tyler said she had just worked with him Monday night and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She was in the break room at the time of the shooting. That 15 to 20 overnight stocking team members hadn't been at work more than 10 minutes before Bing started shooting people.
Tyler explained seconds after another manager started the meeting, She watched Bing open the store to the break room and open fire on the workers. Tyler told the news, “It is by the grace of God that a bullet missed me,” Tyler said. “I saw the smoke leaving the gun, and I literally watched bodies drop. It was crazy.” She went on to say Bing didn't seem to be targeting a specific person adding, “He was just shooting all throughout the room. It didn’t matter who he hit. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t look at anybody in any specific type of way.”
This is Virginia's second mass shooting in four days. Wednesday morning workers, family, and friends of the victims are in shock. Police said there is no clear motive as the investigation continues. The gunman killed himself after the deadly shooting and was pronounced dead at the scene when officers arrived on the scene.
Employee Jessie Wilczewski told Norfolk's WAVY that she hid under the table. Bing found her pointed his gun in her direction and told her to go home. With that, she ran for her life. As did a host of other workers and shoppers who heard the rapid gunfire going off in the back of the store.
Several people on the scene called the shooting into dispatch. Officials reported 2 victims including the gunmen were found deceased in the break room. One victim had made it to the front of the store before collapsing and succumbing to their wounds. A total of three victims arrived at a local hospital with gunshot wounds but sadly, all of them died of their injuries.
In total 7 are dead, including the gunmen, and 5 shooting victims have been hospitalized in the senseless shooting. Chesapeake Police Chief Mark G. Solesky reported the shooter used a pistol. It took several hours to announce the location was secure once it was determined there were no other victims or suspects hiding in the store.
Wednesday, November 23 the investigation continues. A press conference is expected later today. Be sure to follow the nightly news for more updates on the incredible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.