Chaos unfolded at the Collierville Kroger in the form of a deadly mass shooting early Thursday afternoon.
PHOTOS: 12 injured, 1 dead following mass shooting at Collierville Kroger
What we know:
RELATED: Family identifies woman killed in Collierville Kroger mass shooting
BREAKING UPDATE:13 people have been shot, 1 killed after active shooter at Kroger, according Collierville PD Chief Dale Lane. Shooter is dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ive never seen anything like this scene in 34 years, he said.
- Dakarai Turner (@Dakarai_Turner) September 23, 2021
Kroger Comments on Senseless Violence
Kroger took to Facebook on Friday to address the tragedy that unfolded at its store on New Byhalia Rd. in Collierville on Thursday.
The company called the act senseless violence and praised the acts of associates, customers, and first responders that protected others at the store.
Counselling will be provided for associates and the store will remain closed during the duration of the police investigation, Kroger said.
A Somber Briefing
From the parking lot of the normally quiet grocery store at the corner of New Byhalia Road and W. Poplar Avenue, Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane addressed the media on what he called the most horrific event to happen in towns history.
Lane confirmed two people are dead and 12 others were injured. Among the dead is the shooter who police believe died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Lane praised the quick response of his officers. The first officer arrived four minutes after the shooting started and shortly after, the SWAT team started clearing the area. Officers helped to get customers and employees to safety. Some of them hiding in freezers and others in locked offices.
Two months ago, the Collierville Police Department went through training to prepare for a situation of this magnitude, Lane said.
Among the victims, nine went to Regional One Hospital, two went to Methodist, one went to Collierville Baptist, and St. Francis said they are also treating a victim. The victim who went to Baptist has already been released.
Information is rapidly flowing into the newsroom. Below is a real-time feed of what FOX13 has confirmed.
LIVE UPDATES BELOW:
UPDATE: 9:30 p.m. The Kroger located at Kirby had beefed up security tonight at the entrance.
UPDATE: 9:20 p.m. Collierville High School students are asked to wear maroon Friday as a sign of solidarity with Dragon Nation and the entire Town of Collierville.
UPDATE: 8:30 p.m. Her family has identified the woman who was killed as Olivia King.
UPDATE: 8:00 P.M. FOX13 learned that undercover agents, multiple law enforcement personnel went to an apartment five minutes from the Kroger to search the suspects home.
UPDATE: 7:28 p.m. Multiple law enforcement sources close to the investigation confirmed to FOX13 the shooter was a disgruntled employee, however, it not clear if they worked for Kroger or a vendor.
UPDATE: 6:43 p.m.: 44 employees were inside of the Kroger at the time of the shooting.
UPDATE: 6:33 p.m.: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has released the following statement on Twitter.
We are monitoring the tragic situation in Collierville and offer full support to @TBInvestigation, @TNDeptofSafety and local law enforcement as they investigate further.
- Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) September 23, 2021
UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: Theresa Dickerson, a spokesperson with Kroger, said counseling will be available for all the associates.
The store will be closed until further notice.
UPDATE 6:12 p.m.: Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane confirmed there are no active threats at the moment.
There are no new victims.
No new information is available on the suspect. Lane said police are waiting for multiple search warrants to continue to the investigation.
The FBI joined Chief Dale Lane in the news conference and said they are there to support the Collierville Police Department. The FBI commended the quick response of all the law enforcement agencies involved and they are helping process the massive amount of evidence.
UPDATE 6:10 p.m.: The Collierville Police Department is expected to hold another news conference at 6:10 p.m.
UPDATE 5:32 p.m.: Kroger released the following statement:
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.
UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: Investigators are using a robot to search a vehicle in the parking lot of the Kroger.
Robot going through a vehicle on scene pic.twitter.com/qbv8r6e2K0
- Joey Sulipeck FOX13 (@joeysulipeck) September 23, 2021
UPDATE 4:44 p.m.: Here is an aerial view of the crime scene from our own Drone13.
UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland released the following statement:
Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Collierville who are facing the pain of this tragic event in their community. I want to thank our police and fire departments who answered the call to assist. We pray for the victims and their families.
- Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) September 23, 2021
UPDATE: 4:36 p.m.: A Kroger cashier who helped recounts the horrific events.
UPDATE: 4:26 p.m: Senator Bill Hagerty released the following statement:
Tragic news out of Collierville, TN, that I'm closely monitoring. I'm grateful to law enforcement & first responders for their heroic actions. Chrissy & I are praying for the victims & this TN community that is hurting. My office is available to anyone needing assistance.
- Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) September 23, 2021
UPDATE: 4:01 p.m.: Collierville Schools released the following statement:
Due to the closure of Byhalia Road, many school buses have been rerouted. As a result, several pick-ups and drops will be delayed this afternoon. You understanding is appreciated.
UPDATE: 3:43 p.m.: Regional One Hospital reports that they received 9 total patients, 4 in critical condition, 5 in non-critical condition.
UPDATE 3:35 p.m.: Collierville police released official information through their Twitter.
CPD is working an incident at Kroger, 240 New Byhalia Road in Collierville. The scene is secure and this is an active investigation. Chief Lane met with members of the media a short time ago and information regarding this incident will be released via the local media outlets.
- Collierville Police Department (@colliervillepd) September 23, 2021
UPDATE: 3:20 p.m.: During a news conference Dale Lane, Collierville Chief Police, repeatedly said how horrific the situation is: This is the most horrific event to happen in Collierville history.
Lane also said the department prepared for this exact situation two months ago in training at Collierville High School.
UPDATE: 3:12 p.m.: FOX13 spoke to an employee who gave her account of the shooting.
UPDATE: 3:11 p.m.: FOX13 received footage from the scene from shortly after the shooting.
UPDATE: 3:09 p.m. SCSO is reporting helping with the investigation.
SCSO deputies are on site of a shooting at Kroger located at 240 New Byhalia Road in Collierville to support Collierville Police Department. SCSO is assisting with securing the perimeter and scene.
- ShelbyTNSheriff (@ShelbyTNSheriff) September 23, 2021
UPDATE: 2:47 p.m.: Multiple law enforcement sources have confirmed to FOX13 that 9 people have been shot at the Collierville Kroger.
UPDATE: 2:43 p.m.: FOX13s Darrell Greene is reporting seeing three people on the ground. Their condition is not known.
UPDATE: 2:40 P.M.: A media briefing is expected to happen in the next 15 minutes.
UPDATE: 2:36 P.M.: The ATF is heading to the scene and will be helping with the investigation. FOX13s Darrell Greene is on the scene and is reported seeing multiple ambulances rush from the Kroger. Darrell spoke to two witnesses who said multiple people had been shot.
UPDATE: 2:26 P.M.: Memphis Police said they are actively working on securing the scene at this time and are assisting the Collierville Police Department.
UPDATE: 2:12 P.M.: Collierville High School was put on lockdown due to the active shooter reports in the area. The lockdown has since been lifted and school officials said dismissal will proceed as normal at 2:30 p.m.
UPDATE 2:04 P.M.: FOX13 crews witnesses two medical helicopters touch down outside of Kroger.
Officials said that the extent of the shooting is unknown at this time.
The active shooter situation is taking place at the Kroger at 240 New Byhalia Rd, according to officials.
This is an active situation and a developing story.
Check back often and watch FOX13 News at 5 p.m. for updates.
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