COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (WREG) — Multiple people were injured Thursday in a shooting inside the Kroger on Byhalia and Poplar Avenue in Collierville, a Memphis suburb, after an active shooter incident officials are calling the “most horrific event” in the town’s history.
Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane confirmed 13 people were shot, and one person killed. The suspected shooter also is dead, possibly from a self-inflicted gunshot, Lane said.
A family member and a Collierville alderman has identified one of the victims as Olivia King.
The suspect’s vehicle is still parked and is being investigated. Sources say the suspect was a sub contractor who did work in the store’s deli department.
Lane said officers entered the store just after 1:30 and found multiple people shot, and employees in hiding. He could not comment on whether the shooter was an employee, saying it was under investigation.
Lane called it “the most horrific event that’s occurred in Collierville history.”
Multiple witnesses report hearing at least a dozen shots. Some customers made it out of the store. Employees had others take shelter in the cooler, witnesses said.
One employee named Brignetta Dickerson, who says she’s worked at the Kroger for 32 years, told WREG she hid with her coworkers and several customers when they heard the gunshots.
She said her only concern was her customers and coworkers.
“I’m still in shock right now,” said Dickerson. “But I was calm. I was calm and told the customers and my co-workers ‘Just sit down and relax. You’ll be okay.’”
Jean Kurzawski said she worked in the back of the Kroger and heard noises toward the front entrance. She thought balloons were popping at first until she saw customers running. She escaped out a back exit and said she heard gunshots continuing behind her.
“I was just thinking, oh I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, he’s gonna shoot me,” she said.
Collierville High School was briefly sheltering in place.
Multiple ambulances were seen entering Regional One Hospital in Memphis. The hospital reported it saw nine patients, four in critical condition and five non-critical.
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A SWAT team member moves into place. -
Witness photos show a man on the Kroger roof talking to police. Collierville Police said this is not the shooter and is believed to be an employee of Kroger directing officers. (submitted photo) -
Kroger employees embrace after the ordeal. -
The scene at the entrance to the Collierville Kroger. -
ATF agen ts were investigating the SUV parked outside the Collierville Kroger. -
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Kroger employees are led out of the store.
Kroger released a statement on the shooting:
We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our Kroger store located on New Byhalia Rd. in Collierville, TN – a suburb of Memphis. The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to the individuals and families of the victims during this difficult time. 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. To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are referring questions to the Collierville Police Department.
Kroger spokesperson
The Collierville store will remain closed until further notice, Kroger Delta Division spokeswoman Teresa Dickerson said.
“We are praying for our associates here in Collierville,” she said.
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