Tennessee mass shooting: Kroger survivors hid in freezers as two people dead and four critical

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.”

Key Points

• Casualties increase to 14

• Suspected gunman shot himself, police say

• Employees played dead or run for the door as gunshots began

• ‘Most horrific event’ in town history

Multiple people shot at Kroger grocery store near Memphis

Thursday 23 September 2021 21:37 , Justin Vallejo

At least nine people have reportedly been shot at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville, on the outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee.

This story is developing.

Multiple people shot at Tennessee grocery store

Suspected gunman shot himself, police say

Thursday 23 September 2021 21:52 , Justin Vallejo

Collierville police chief Dale Lane said the gunman was deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

13 shot and at least one killed

Thursday 23 September 2021 21:53 , Justin Vallejo

Police said at least 13 were shot, and one fatally, during the mass shooting.

Collierville police chief Dale Lane said he expected those numbers to change.

‘Most horrific event’ in town history

Thursday 23 September 2021 21:54 , Justin Vallejo

Collierville is a satellite town about 40 minutes’ drive from Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee, with a population of about 44,000.

Collierville police chief Dale Lane told a press conference: “This is the most horrific event to happen in Collierville history.”

Memphis police arrive to assist

Thursday 23 September 2021 22:25 , Justin Vallejo

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.

Employees and customers played dead, hid in freezers or ran for the door as gunshots began

Thursday 23 September 2021 22:32 , Justin Vallejo

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.”

Collierville police chief Dale Lane said employees hid in freezers and locked offices, while an employee told broadcasters said she saw a man get shot in the stomach.

Casualties increase to 14

Thursday 23 September 2021 22:41 , Justin Vallejo

Collierville town spokesperson Jennifer Casey updated the number of total injured to 14 and one killed, according to CNN.

Memphis Mayor releases statement

Thursday 23 September 2021 22:47 , Justin Vallejo

Jim Strickland, the mayor of Memphis, released the following statement:

“Our hearts go out to our neighbours 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.”

Images from the scene of the shooting

Thursday 23 September 2021 23:01 , Justin Vallejo

EXPLAINER: Background checks no longer required for Tennessee gunowners

Thursday 23 September 2021 23:16 , Justin Vallejo

Tennessee become the latest state to allow most adults 21 and older carry handguns without first clearing a background check and training after governor Bill Lee signed the measure into law in April.

“I signed constitutional carry today because it shouldn’t be hard for law-abiding Tennesseans to exercise their (Second Amendment) rights,” said Lee, a Republican approaching his reelection campaign for 2022, in a tweet.

Lee initially proposed the National Rifle Association-backed legislation last year before the COVID-19 pandemic caused lawmakers to narrow their focus. He renewed that effort when lawmakers returned for this year’s legislative session, where the GOP-controlled General Assembly easily advanced the measure to his desk.

The measure applies to firearms that are concealed and ones that are openly carried.

Nationwide, at least six states are also weighing similar measures this year, with supporters eager to join nearly 20 others that currently don’t require permits for concealed carry. Meanwhile, more than 30 states allow for permitless open carry.

Asked whether recent mass shootings in Georgia Colorado and others gave him any concern about timing, Lee has previously said the increased penalties mean that “we in fact will be strengthening laws that would help prevent gun crimes in the future.” Associated Press.

Survivor describes seeing colleagues with gunshot wounds to their head and stomach

Thursday 23 September 2021 23:30 , Justin Vallejo

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

READ: Full statement from Kroger grocery store

Thursday 23 September 2021 23:45 , Justin Vallejo

“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

Friday 24 September 2021 00:12 , Josh Marcus

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'

WATCH: Police offer updates on Collierville shooting

Friday 24 September 2021 00:23 , Josh Marcus

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

Friday 24 September 2021 00:31 , Josh Marcus

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

Friday 24 September 2021 00:47 , Josh Marcus

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

01:07 , Josh Marcus

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

Social media users call for gun control after Collierville shooting

01:28 , Josh Marcus

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

01:45 , Josh Marcus

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

01:48 , Josh Marcus

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

Signing off for tonight

01:50 , Josh Marcus

That’s all for today’s live coverage of the shooting in Collierville.Thank you for reading, and do stay with The Independent for all the latest news, analysis, and commentary.