Kroger in Collierville.Photo: WMCA Action News 5
The woman killed in a shooting inside a Kroger supermarket in Tennessee on Thursday has been identified as survivors are detailing the terrifying scene.
Twelve people were shot and one was killed in the shooting. The gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. The identity of the shooter, or any connection he may have had to the supermarket, remains unclear.
The victim was identified as Olivia King, according to her family, who said that she was shot in the chest and later died at the hospital.
Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane described the shooting scene as “horrific,” saying that people were hiding in freezers and offices inside the store.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he toldreporters. “There were numerous employees that were working. We found people hiding in freezers and in locked offices. They were doing what they were trained to do: Run. Hide. Fight.”
One Kroger employee, Brignetta Dickerson, was working when the shooting began, hiding in the back with her coworkers, according toCBS.
“He kept on shooting, shooting, shooting,” Dickerson told the outlet. “He shot one of my coworkers in the head, and then shot one of the customers in the stomach, and then my other customer got kind of like cuts because of the asphalt.”
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) released a statement on the shooting, ensuring that the organization would be working to provide assistance to those affected.
“We are heartbroken that another act of senseless violence has occurred at a grocery store,” said UFCW President Marc Perrone in astatement. “There are no words that can express the impact these horrific acts of violence have on workers, our union members, and our customers.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
The spokesperson added: “We are cooperating with local law enforcement, who have secured the store and parking lot. The store will remain closed while the police investigation continues, and we have initiated counseling services for our associates.”
According toCBS, 44 employees were in the store at the time and Kroger is offering counseling services in response.
TheCollierville Police Departmentwill hold a press conference Friday morning with updates on the investigation.
source: people.com
