By: Jingwei Zhao
On the fateful day of November 23, Chesapeake Walmart employee Andre Bing walked into his employment and pulled out a gun. This resulting mass shooting killed six people. The victims have been identified as Lorenzo Gamble, Brian Pendleton, Kellie Pyle, Randall Blevins; and Tyneka Johnson. The city authorities have not identified the sixth victim–a minor.
In a Wednesday press release, the Virginian city claimed, “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. Please join us in praying for the family and friends of these community members who we have lost.”
Authorities have discovered that Bing was armed with a handgun and had learned a lot about his targets through magazines. This event was truly heartbreaking—Bing had been employed there since 2010. Authorities are attempting to learn more about Bing’s background and what could have motivated the attack.
Lately, many mass shootings have occurred in places that were once considered safe. Less than a month before this tragedy, a 22-year-old attending the University of Virginia allegedly shot and killed three other students while coming back from a field trip. So far this year, there have been 600 shootings where four or more people have been shot.
Kevin Harper, a coworker of Bing who worked the same shift wrote, “He came in there and just started spraying.” Jeromy Basham, a patron visiting Walmart to purchase some tablecloths, heard the gunshots. He wrote on his Facebook page, “It sounded loud as sh*t but it was so many of the same kind of sound I don’t know what the h*ll else it could have been.”
Not only was this shooting tragic for those in the hospital, but it also caused a ripple effect of mental trauma as well. Joetta Jeffrey received texts from her mother stating that bullets were flying in Walmart. While talking with CNN, Jeffrey stated that “I’m (she) crying, I’m shaking.” John Furner, the Walmart U.S. President, and CEO wrote that this event was truly tragic, as it was caused by a Walmart associate. In his eyes, “The entire Walmart family is heartbroken. Our hearts and prayers are with those impacted, and we are grateful for the actions of first responders.”