CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

6 victims shot and killed in a Virginia Walmart include a 16-year-old boy, authorities say

Nov 23, 2022, 9:30 PM | Updated: Dec 29, 2022, 11:22 am

Police tape cordons off the scene of a fatal shooting at a Chesapeake, Va., Walmart Tuesday, Nov. 2...

Police tape cordons off the scene of a fatal shooting at a Chesapeake, Va., Walmart Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

(Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)

 (CNN) — Authorities have identified five of the six people who were killed in a Virginia Walmart after the store’s manager began firing Tuesday night before killing himself.

Five of the deceased victims were identified as Lorenzo Gamble; Brian Pendleton; Kellie Pyle; Randall Blevins; and Tyneka Johnson, according to a Wednesday news release from the City of Chesapeake.

The sixth deceased victim was a 16-year-old boy who authorities are not naming because he was a minor, the city said.

All six victims were employed by Walmart, a company spokesperson told CNN.

“The City of Chesapeake has always been known as the ‘City That Cares’ and now, more than ever, we know our City will show up and care for those who need it most,” the release said. “Please join us in praying for the family and friends of these community members who we have lost.”

Earlier Wednesday, the city identified the shooter as 31-year-old Andre Bing, saying he was “armed with one handgun and had multiple magazines on his person.”

Bing was an “overnight team lead” and had been employed with Walmart since 2010, the company said in a statement.

Authorities were digging into the shooter’s background Wednesday for information on what could have motivated the attack, police said.

“Law enforcement will do what they can and I promise you, more information will follow,” Chesapeake Mayor Rick West said in a video message posted Wednesday evening.

The violence marks yet another mass shooting in a place traditionally seen as safe — from schools to hospitals to stores.

Just 170 miles west of Chesapeake, a 22-year-old student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville allegedly opened fire on fellow students this month, killing three of them on a bus returning to campus from a field trip to Washington, DC.

Last weekend, a 22-year-old shot and killed five people at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and 19 others were injured, authorities said.

The US has suffered more than 600 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Both the non-profit and CNN define mass shootings as those in which four or more people are shot, not including the assailant.

Manager came in and ‘just started spraying’

At least 50 people were inside the Walmart when the violence erupted, police said. Some of them have begun publicly sharing their accounts of how a calm night turned into a horrifying tragedy.

The deadly rampage started around 10:12 p.m. Tuesday, less than an hour before the Walmart Supercenter was set to close.

The first officer arrived on scene within two minutes and officers entered the store roughly two minutes after that, at about 10:16 p.m., police said.

Employee Kevin Harper said a colleague entered the breakroom and started shooting.

“I just left out the breakroom … (the gunman) starts cappin’ people up in there,” Harper said in a Facebook Live video. The video is no longer on his Facebook page, but it has been re-shared on social media.

“He came in there and just started spraying,” Harper said.

At least six more people were transported to local hospitals for treatment, one of whom remained in critical condition Wednesday, city officials said. Authorities were also working to determine whether there were any additional injuries that were self-reported.

Jalon Jones, 24, was shot several times by the gunman Tuesday, his mother, Kimberly Shupe, told CNN affiliate WTKR. Shupe addressed reporters Wednesday outside the hospital where her son was in the intensive care unit in stable condition.

“Three individuals, including the shooter, were located deceased in the break room of the store,” the city of Chesapeake tweeted. “One victim was located deceased toward the front of the store. Three other victims were transported to local hospitals for further treatment, but succumbed to their injuries.”

Customer Jeromy Basham, who was at the Walmart Tuesday night to buy tablecloths, said he heard the sound of the gunshots and a few seconds later, people began rushing out of the store.

“It sounded loud as s**t but it was so many of the same kind of sound I don’t know what the hell else it could have been,” he said in a video uploaded to his Facebook page.

For a while, Basham took cover after employees warned him, “Don’t come out,” before he eventually made it outside safely.

Once outside, he saw responding officers enter the store with heavy body armor and long rifles while other witnesses and employees stood in the parking lot. In additional videos from Basham, dozens of first responders are seen on the scene.

‘This one is especially painful’

Joetta Jeffery said her mother, Betsy Umphlett, sent her texts from inside the store saying bullets were flying.

“I’m crying, I’m shaking,” Jeffery told CNN. “I had just talked to her about buying turkeys for Thanksgiving, then this text came in.”

Jeffery said her mother is not injured, but traumatized by the tragedy.

A reunification center was set up at the Chesapeake Conference Center for families seeking details about loved ones who were at the store. City officials have asked that only relatives or emergency contacts of those inside visit the center.

John Furner, Walmart US’ president and CEO, said the mass shooting in Chesapeake was exceptionally tragic because the assailant was an employee.

“We feel tragedies like this personally and deeply. But this one is especially painful as we have learned the gunman was a Walmart associate,” Furner said in a statement. “The entire Walmart family is heartbroken. Our hearts and prayers are with those impacted, and we are grateful for the actions of first responders.”

The FBI’s Norfolk division said the agency is assisting the Chesapeake Police Department in the investigation.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the shooting to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

12 year old driver shown driving erratically on freeway...

Sam Herrera

WATCH: Police release dash cam footage of 12-year-old driver

The Utah Highway Patrol said the 12-year-old driver stole her mom's car. The girl was briefly arrested before being released to her parents.

2 hours ago

(Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio)...

Simone Seikaly

Possible carjacking in West Valley City leads to car fire, ramp closure

The UHP said a car was following another car eastbound on the 201 and moved onto the ramp toward NB I-15 when one car rolled and caught fire.

3 hours ago

(Loren Richardson via KSL.com)...

Simone Seikaly

Brighton resident charged with aggravated assault for confronting snowboarder

According to court documents, and based on witness accounts, Brighton resident Keith Robert Stebbings threatened a snowboarder with a shotgun.

4 hours ago

IRS texts are bogus. Picture shows a sign saying "warning, scam alert" on a keyboard...

Britt Johnson

Millions to be paid for Utah’s largest real estate scheme settlement

Over $10 million in refunds will go to victims of a Utah-based real estate scheme following the settlement of a lawsuit.

13 hours ago

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after he allegedly t...

Pat Reavy, ksl.com

West Jordan man shot, killed best friend while trying to ‘be funny,’ police say

A West Jordan man was arrested Tuesday for investigation of negligent homicide after shooting his "best friend."

21 hours ago

FILE: The bust of 30 pounds of fentanyl in American Fork on March 21 highlights the drug problem Ut...

Heather Peterson and Curt Gresseth

DEA warns fentanyl most deadly drug in U.S. and Utah history

The DEA said Utah is on pace to see double the amount of fentanyl this year than last.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

6 victims shot and killed in a Virginia Walmart include a 16-year-old boy, authorities say