2022 Chesapeake shooting

On November 22, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at a Walmart Supercenter in Chesapeake, Virginia, United States. Seven people were killed, including the gunman, and four others were injured.[3][4] The gunman was identified as 31-year-old Andre Marcus Bing, a night-shift manager at the store.[1][5]

2022 Chesapeake shooting
Part of mass shootings in the United States
Location1521 Sam's Circle, Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
Coordinates36°46′22″N 76°14′56″W
DateNovember 22, 2022 (2022-11-22)
c. 10:12 – 10:16 p.m. (EST（UTC−05:00）)
TargetCoworkers
Attack type
Mass shooting, murder-suicide, workplace violence
Weapon9mm handgun
Deaths7 (including the perpetrator)
Injured4
PerpetratorAndre Marcus Bing[1][2]
MotiveRevenge-driven attack against co-worker harassment

In a note written on his phone, Bing claimed that he was mocked by coworkers and that his phone had been hacked. He repeatedly mentioned God and wanting forgiveness for his actions, claiming that he was "led by Satan" and wanted forgiveness "for what I'm going to do". Also described in the note were non-traditional cancer treatments and distress over not having a wife.[6][7]

Survivors filed two $50 million lawsuits against the company via Morgan & Morgan law firm, alleging Walmart neglected to ensure staff safety, as complaints had been made regarding the harassing and violent behavior during Bing's employment.[8][9]

Shooting

Bing purchased the 9mm handgun on the morning of the shooting, and practiced with shooting targets later found in his vehicle.[10][11][12][6][13]

Police responded to reports of a shooting in the store at 10:12 p.m. EST.[14] Bing shot a specific co-worker and then went to the breakroom where he shot several others without speaking although he may have been laughing,[15][16] and then fired at least ten shots walking the aisles.[12] When he saw a co-worker who had only worked at the store five days, he told her to run home and didn't target her.[17]

Bing was targeting specific co-workers, and would continue shooting their prone bodies to ensure they were dead.[13] He was carrying a paper list he'd made of names of employees he was targeting, and a similar list was found in his home.[18]

Due to the size of the store, it took first responders over 35 to 40 minutes to search the building. Officers discovered multiple victims in the building,[19] including one near the entrance.[3] The gunman was among the deceased, due to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.[20][14] The scene was declared safe by law enforcement about an hour after the first reports at 11:20 p.m.[11]

Six Walmart employees were killed; Randy Blevins, 70; Fernando Chavez-Barron, 16; Tyneka Johnson, 22; Lorenzo Gamble, 43; Brian Pendleton, 38; and Kellie Pyle, 52.[21][22][23][24][25]

Perpetrator

The gunman was night-shift manager Andre Marcus Bing (May 1, 1991 – November 22, 2022).[1][2][26] He was a resident of Chesapeake who previously lived in various other cities across the Hampton Roads metropolitan area including Suffolk, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach; and he also lived for a time in Queens, New York, and San Angelo, Texas. Bing started working with Walmart at the Chesapeake location twelve years earlier.[27] Bing had no criminal record.[12]

Bing's motive was characterized as either revenge for bullying by co-workers or a result of his failed romantic pursuits.[28] He wrote a short death note in which he explained how he had problems with women.[29] He wrote in his death note: "My true intent was never to murder anyone, believe it or not, I was actually one of the most loving people in the world if you got to know me. I just wanted a wife that was equally yoked as I and obsessed over the thought; however, I didn't deserve a wife."[28] An employee at the store alleged that he was planning on killing other Walmart managers.[30][31] Walmart employees that had worked with Bing described him as difficult and known to be hostile to others.[13]

Aftermath

A joint investigation between the Chesapeake Police Department and the ATF is being conducted.[14] A joint search of Bing's home near Interstate 464, located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away from the Walmart was conducted by the Chesapeake Police and Virginia State Police shortly after the shooting before his identity was disclosed and his family notified.[11][26]

Governor Glenn Youngkin released a statement saying that "our hearts break for the community of Chesapeake...Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities." Chesapeake mayor Rick West also issued a statement the next morning offering his prayers to the families and thanks to the quick actions of first responders.[32] Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) said he was sickened by the shooting.[4] Virginia state senator Louise Lucas of Virginia's 18th Senate district, which includes Chesapeake, said she was "heartbroken that America's latest mass shooting took place in a Walmart in my district".[33] President Joe Biden shared his condolences and called for gun reform in the U.S.[34]

The store has remained closed since the shooting.[35]However, Walmart has plans to reopen the store on April 19, 2023 with significant changes to its design, according to a press release. There will also be a memorial space to honor to victims and provide comfort for the survivors. [36]

See also

References
  1. Burchett, Caitlyn; Munro, Ian; Stone, Gavin (November 23, 2022). "Virginia Walmart shooting updates: Sources identify gunman". The Virginian-Pilot. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  2. City of Chesapeake [@AboutChesapeake] (November 23, 2022). "We are still communicating with the victims' families and will release their information as soon as possible. We can confirm that the shooter was 31-year-old Andre Bing of Chesapeake. He was armed with one handgun and had multiple magazines on his person" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. Reese, Brian; Hall, Brett; Dowding, Jon; Wolf, Michelle; Mayfield, Adrienne (November 22, 2022). "Chesapeake Walmart shooting: Multiple fatalities, injuries". WAVY-TV. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. Medina, Edurado; Ives, Mike (November 22, 2022). "Multiple People Are Fatally Shot at a Walmart in Virginia". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  5. Burchett, Caitlyn; Munro, Ian (November 22, 2022). "Multiple fatalities, injuries reported after shooting in a Chesapeake Walmart". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. Finley, Ben; Barakat, Matthew (November 25, 2022). "Walmart shooter left 'death note,' bought gun day of killing". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved November 26, 2022. Bing was identified as an overnight team leader who had been a Walmart employee since 2010. Police said he had one handgun and several magazines of ammunition.
  7. "Walmart shooting suspect wrote 'death note' before killing spree". November 25, 2022.
  8. El-Bawab, Nadine; Barr, Luke. "Walmart employee complained about suspect's behavior months before mass shooting: Lawsuit". ABC News. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  9. Larche, Jessica (December 6, 2022). "Second lawsuit filed against Walmart after mass shooting in Chesapeake". News 3 WTKR. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  10. "Search warrants reveal notes, ammo found at Chesapeake Walmart shooter's home". March 24, 2023.
  11. Calia, Mike; Repko, Melissa (November 23, 2022). "Walmart employee killed 6 people at Virginia store before taking his own life, police say". CNBC. Retrieved November 23, 2022. The gunman — identified as Andre Bing, 31, of Chesapeake — was a disgruntled employee, a senior law enforcement official told NBC News. He was armed with a pistol and had multiple ammunition magazines on him, officials said.
  12. Elamroussi, Aya; McLaughlin, Eliott C. (November 25, 2022). "Authorities disclose note found on Walmart shooter's phone". CNN. Retrieved November 27, 2022. The Chesapeake shooting erupted suddenly, with witnesses saying they were in shock and disbelief when they saw the gunman – a 31-year-old overnight team lead who'd worked at the store since 2010 – pointing a handgun at them. He was armed with multiple magazines, police said.
  13. "Police: Walmart shooter bought gun just hours before killing". POLITICO. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  14. Boyette, Chris (November 22, 2022). "Multiple fatalities and injuries reported in shooting at a Virginia Walmart". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  15. "6 killed, 4 remain hospitalized after a mass shooting at Chesapeake Walmart, CPD confirms". WAVY.com. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  16. Minore, Lauren; Peterson, Beatrice; Barr, Luke (November 23, 2022). "Virginia Walmart shooting updates: 7 people dead, including gunman". MSN. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  17. "Witness: Walmart shooter seemed to target certain people". AP News. November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  18. "Andre Bing: Chesapeake Walmart shooter was 'hunting for his targets' and ensured they were dead".
  19. "Virginia police: Multiple people killed in Walmart shooting". Associated Press. November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  20. "Gunman goes on deadly shooting rampage at US Walmart". France 24. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  21. Andrew V. Pestano •. "These Are the Victims of the Virginia Walmart Shooting". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  22. Maxouris, Holly Yan, Ariane de Vogue, John Miller, Curt Devine, Christina (November 23, 2022). "6 victims shot and killed in a Virginia Walmart include a 16-year-old boy, authorities say". CNN. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  23. "These are the victims of the deadly Chesapeake mass shooting". 13newsnow.com. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  24. "16-year-old killed in Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting identified by police". WJLA. November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  25. "Chesapeake Walmart shooting victims range in age from 16 to 70". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  26. "Police: Employee at a Virginia Walmart opened fire in the store, killing 6". WCVB. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  27. "Walmart employee who shot around 10 people had a 12-year career with Walmart". Opoyi. November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  28. Dredd, Peter (November 26, 2022). "Walmart Shooter Is A Black Incel Who Felt Rejected By Women – Manifesto". Dreddsworld. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  29. "Read The Manifesto Of The Walmart Shooter … He's A BLACK INCEL Who Felt 'Rejected' By Women!". Media Take Out. November 26, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  30. "A Chesapeake Walmart employee said the gunman told her to 'go home' after killing workers in the store". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  31. Cohen, Rebecca. "A Chesapeake Walmart employee said the gunman told her to 'go home' after killing workers in the store". Insider. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  32. "State, local officials express heartbreak following the deadly mass shooting at Chesapeake Walmart". WAVY-TV. November 23, 2022.
  33. "Virginia police: Multiple people killed in Walmart shooting". POLITICO. Associated Press. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  34. House, The White (November 23, 2022). "Statement from President Biden on the Shooting in Chesapeake, VA". The White House. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  35. "Work to continues to reopen Chesapeake Walmart following deadly mass shooting".
  36. "Chesapeake Walmart to reopen nearly 5 months after 6 employees were killed in mass shooting: Official". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. April 3, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
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