Tennessee mass shooting: Kroger survivors hid in freezers as two people dead and four critical
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
At least one person was killed and another 14 shot in a mass shooting near Memphis, Tennessee. At least four were in a critical condition, while five were non-critical.
The shooter is deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
The shooting occurred at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville, about 30 miles east of Memphis. Collierville police chief Dale Lane told a press conference: “This is the most horrific event to happen in Collierville history.”
“You know obviously it’s like every other community in the country, it’s horrific, we hate that it happened. but this is one of the most resilient communities in America,” he said.
Police, plus fire and rescue crews descended on the location and set up a perimeter after the first reports of an active shooter at 1.30 pm local time. Two medical helicopters touched down at the site and the nearby Collierville High School was put in lockdown.
Police from nearby Memphis arrived at the crime scene to assist local officers with securing the perimeter. While the shooter was deceased, active scenes remained as police searched the gunman’s car that remained in the parking lot.
Brignetta Dickerson was at a cash register and played dead when the gunman “started popping that gun,” hitting one man in the head. She said he could still talk.
“It sounded a bit like a balloon popping. Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap — just like that.” she told WREG-TV.
Another employee Glenda McDonald said she ran out the front door after hearing shots fired from near the deli.
“Several people did get shot — some customers and employees,” she told told Fox 13. “The only thing I heard was the gunshots.”
Survivor describes seeing colleagues with gunshot wounds to their head and stomach
A survivor of the mass shooting at a grocery store in Collierville, Tennessee has described seeing her colleagues getting shot in the head and stomach.
The woman, who works at the store and was still wearing her blue Kroger apron, said: “One of my coworkers got shot in the head, and a customer got shot in the stomach and in the arm.
“Another one of my coworkers got a little cut on top of his eye from the asphalt...
“I couldn’t see [how it happened] because I was ducking and he was on top of – everybody was covered.”
Tennessee shooting: Survivor describes seeing colleagues with gunshot wounds
Workers and shoppers alike ducked for cover when a shooter opened fire at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville, Tennessee
READ: Full statement from Kroger grocery store
“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 counselling services for our associates.
To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are referring questions to the Collierville Police Department.”
Collierville shooting followed killings at Kroger subsidiary in Colorado
Today’s shooting in Collierville eerily echoes another shooting from earlier this year. In March, a gunman opened fire in a Boulder, Colorado, grocery store chain called King Soopers that’s owned by Kroger, killing 10 people before he was taken into custody. Here was our coverage of that shooting.
Boulder police still trying to establish motive for mass shooting: 'It will be haunting for all of us'
Police are still searching for a motive
WATCH: Police offer updates on Collierville shooting
As promised, police are giving more updates on their investigation into the shooting at a Collierville, Tennessee, Kroger grocery store which killed two people, including the shooter, and injured at leasts 14. A live feed of the press conference can be found below.
One victim in surgery and one in ICU, police chief says in update on Collierville shooting
One victim is in surgery and another is in a local intensive care unit, Collierville police chief Dale Lane told reporters on Thursday in an evening press conference, likely the last official update on today’s mass shooting at a Kroger grocery store in Tennessee.
Two people died in the rampage—one victim, and the shooter, via a self-inflicted gun wound—and at least 14 others were injured. There are few other new details about the shooting which have been released.
Officials suggested there was likely just one shooter, according to witness testimony from the crime scene. Police haven’t said what type of weapon was used in the killing, or how many.
Chief Lane disproved a theory that had been circulating on social media that the shooter may have been hiding on the roof of the store. He told the assembled crowd that he personally was involved in rescuing the individual in question, who was a Kroger employee. Officials also said it appeared no children were harmed in the shooting.
What Tennessee leaders are saying in the wake of the Collierville shooting: Thoughts, prayers, no time for politics
Tennessee leaders were heartbroken to learn the news that the latest in America’s mass shooting epidemic had occurred in Collierville. Here’s what they’re saying:
US Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty told Fox 13 on Thursday that now is not the time to discuss gun control. “The time right now is to be mourning and supporting those families that have been affected,” he said. “I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but even more important right now is to help the families cope with losses they’re suffering.”Tennessee is one a number of states that allows most adults to carry a gun without a background check or permit.
By the numbers: US on track for worst year of gun violence in decades after Collierville shooting
After Thursday’s mass shooting in Collierville, Tennessee, which killed two and injured at least 14 people, the US remains on track for what could be its worst year of gun violence in decades.
There have been more than 32,500 gun violence deaths of all causes in 2021, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit group. And they’re occurring faster than in 2020, itself a record year.
Here’s our report from this summer about this troubling trend.
430 dead in one week as US heads for worst year of gun violence in decades
Violence is set to surpass shootings in 2020, which was already a record year
Social media users call for gun control after Collierville shooting
The situation is still evolving on the ground in Collierville, Tennessee, where a shooter killed one person and himself at a Kroger’s grocery store. Elected officials have largely spoken out to comfort the families affected and update the public about the investigation, but social media users have been sounding off about how the shooting suggests the need for stricter gun control in the state, where a law passed this spring allows most adults to carry a handgun without a background check or permit.
“There was a mass shooting today in Collierville Tennessee, at the Kroger grocery store. 13 people shot,” Twitter user Jennifer Pierce, wrote. “Why is this country incapable of meaningful gun control legislation?! Too many people are being injured/killed.” “Where are Tennessee’s ‘pro-life’ gun control laws, @GovBillLee? More victims of #GOPHypocrisy,” added Twitter user Kim Cronan.
Tennesseans ‘pleaded’ with governor not to pass permitless carry bill, gun control activist says
Earlier this year, residents of Tennessee “pleaded” with governor Bill Lee not to sign a bill allowing most adults to carry a handgun without a background check or permit required, according to gun control activist Shannon Watts, founder of grassroots ground Moms Demand Action.
“Tennesseans pleaded with lawmakers not to pass permitless carry; over 84% opposed, including gun safety instructors, healthcare workers, sheriffs, police and district attorneys,” Ms Watts wrote on Twitter on Thursday after the shooting in Collierville, which she seemed to link to the bill. “After he signed the bill, Gov. Bill Lee thanked the NRA [National Rifle Association, a pro-gun lobbying group].”
ICYMI: Everything we know about the Collierville shooting
The Independent has been tracking all the latest news on the mass shooting in Collierville, Tennessee.
Here’s an up-to-date summary of what we know about the tragedy, where a shooter killed one individual, injured 14 more, then dead by suicide.
At least one killed and 13 injured at Kroger as gunman dies of self-inflicted wound
‘This is the most horrific event to happen in Collierville history’, police chief says
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.