Walmart shooting - live: First Chesapeake victim is named as witness describes ‘laughing’ gunman

A Walmart employee has shot and killed killed six victims in a mass shooting inside a store in Chesapeake, Virginia, before turning the gun on himself, according to authorities.

Police were called to the store at around 10.12pm on Tuesday night to find multiple people dead and injured on the scene.

Six victims were killed in the attack and another four remained in hospital with injuries as of Wednesday morning.

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky confirmed in a press conference on Wednesday morning that the suspect is a male store worker but would not reveal his identity because his next of kin is yet to be notified.

Police executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home in the aftermath of the shooting and have determined that there is “no ongoing risk to the public”, said the police chief.

The victims’ identities have also not been officially released at this time, but a memorial to one has been placed by a tree outside the store.

A motive for the shooting is unknown, but witnesses have said they believe it was planned, targeted coworkers, and recall the gunman laughing.

Key Points

• Multiple fatalities as gunman opens fire inside Walmart

• Shooting suspect believed to be dead

• Death toll ‘less than 10’

• At least five injured rushed to hospital for treatment

• Over 40 emergency vehicles rushed to the spot

Top Virginia Republicans don’t reference ‘shooting’ in social media reactions to shooting

18:10 , Oliver O'Connell

In the wake of the Chesapeake shooting, social media statements from Virginia’s Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin and his lieutenant governor Winsome Earl-Sears condemned “senseless” and “heinous” acts of violence, but neither mentioned the word “shooting” or referenced the fact that a gun was used in the killings.

“Our hearts break with the community of Chesapeake this morning,” Mr Youngkin shared on his social media accounts on Wednesday. “I remain in contact with law enforcement officials throughout this morning and have made available any resources as this investigation moves forward. Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities.”

Asked by The Independent whether his office intends to issue a formal statement on the shootings, his office shared a two-minute video from a press briefing, in which Mr Youngkin addressed the “heinous, senseless act of violence” in Chesapeake. In neither statement does he mention the type of violence or how the victims were killed, or how the gunman appeared to have killed himself.

His office released a formal order to lower flags at half-staff “in respect and memory of the victims of the Chesapeake shooting.”

A social media statement from Lt Governor Winsome Earl-Sears – who posed with an assault rifle in campaign ads and defended gun ownership at the National Rifle Association conference in Texas in the aftermath of the Uvalde massacre – said that “our hearts continue to grieve as we learn of more victims of senseless violence in Chesapeake.”

We mourn the many victims of fatal violence and suicide around the Commonwealth and our nation,” she added. “Our society is hurting. All life is precious. I commit to making mental health issues a priority of my office and will be working with the Governor, Attorney General, the General Assembly, and local leaders to address this crisis. Let us grieve and pray for these families as we begin to gather for Thanksgiving, as they will have one last chair at their tables.”

Gunman identified as Andre Bing

17:59 , Oliver O'Connell

A statement sent to The Independent by Walmart identifies the manager responsible for the shooting as Andre Bing.

Per Walmart:

While details of the tragic incident in our Chesapeake, Virginia store are still emerging, authorities have confirmed multiple fatalities. We are focused on doing everything we can to support our associates and their families at this time. The alleged shooter has been identified as Andre Bing. We can confirm that he was a Walmart associate. Andre’s position with the company was overnight team lead and he’s been employed with us since 2010. We are thankful for the local first responders and will continue to work with local law enforcement as they continue their investigation.

Walmart mass shooting suspect is named as 31-year-old Andre Bing

‘He didn’t say a word'

17:39 , Oliver O'Connell

ABC News reports:

Employee Briana Tyler said workers had gathered in the break room as they typically did ahead of their shifts.

“I looked up, and my manager just opened the door and he just opened fire,” she told ABC’s Good Morning America, adding that “multiple people” dropped to the floor.

“He didn’t say a word, he didn’t say anything at all,” she said.

Solesky confirmed that the shooter, who used a pistol, was a Walmart employee but did not give his name because his family had not been notified. The police chief could not confirm whether the victims were all employees.

Employee Jessie Wilczewski told Norfolk television station WAVY that she hid under the table and the shooter looked at her with his gun pointed at her, told her to go home and she left.

“It didn’t even look real until you could feel the ... ‘pow-pow-pow,’ you can feel it," Wilczewski said. “I couldn’t hear it at first because I guess it was so loud, I could feel it.”

Police release more details of fatalities and injured

17:27 , Oliver O'Connell

Chesapeake Police have released more details of the scene they encountered at the Walmart and say that they continue to work with the victims’ families before releasing their identities and that they are currently investigating the employment state of the victims.

There were a total of seven fatalities. Three individuals, including the shooter, were located deceased in the break room of the store. 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.

At least six additional victims were transported to local hospitals for further medical treatment. One of these individuals is currently in critical condition. We continue to work with area hospitals to determine any additional injuries that may have self-reported.

Governor Youngkin orders flags to half-staff

17:20 , Oliver O'Connell

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has ordered for flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia to be flown at half-staff in respect and memory of the victims of the Chesapeake mass shooting.

The governor issued the order just after 11 am on Wednesday. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on Sunday 27 November.

Two victims died at hospital, two in critical condition

17:05 , Oliver O'Connell

Two of the victims of the shooting passed away after being transported to hospital according to Sentara Healthcare.

Another two are listed as in critical condition, and a fifth is in good condition.

FBI assisting investigation

16:50 , Oliver O'Connell

The FBI’s office in Norfolk, Virginia, is assisting in the investigation and has opened a tip line for any information people may have about what led up to the shooting.

Witness says store was ‘extremely crowded’

16:39 , Oliver O'Connell

13 News Now heard from shopper Terri Brown, who left the busy store shortly before the shooting began.

I was counting the police cars. And as the count before the light could turn green, it was 13 police cars, and I could see a fire truck coming. I got home, because I live less than two minutes from that Walmart, and I could just hear police cars just coming and coming and coming and coming.

There are no words. There are just no words. To see this unfold, to be a part of it, to know that this crime occured so close to me, and I was literally in that store, is terrifying.

It was extremely crowded. All of the checkouts were extremely busy. They had most registers open. There [were] long long lines at the self-checkout. They had people at the front doors. There ususally is one or two greeters, tonight I saw probably around four. A lot of people in the store. I literally parked wayyyy down in the parking lot, because you could not find spaces.

It is a busy street, but I think by the time that the first car came past me, it was like, truthfully, if I don't say anything about Chesapeake police, I will say tonight, they were On It.

I don't know what they do the rest of the time, but they were on the scene. Those police cars came so fast. I mean literally within a minute, I was counting 13, firetrucks, I mean they were coming from all areas. There was no traffic moving because so many police cars were coming so quickly.

City refutes false rumours of another active shooter

16:24 , Oliver O'Connell

Victim’s sister says he had just clocked in for work when shooting occurred

16:20 , Oliver O'Connell

CBS 6 News reports that the sister of one of the victims shot at the Chesapeake Walmart had just clocked in for work when he was shot.

“He went in at 10 pm tonight and we received a phone call, well his wife received a phone call, at about 10.18 saying he had been shot. At the time that’s all that we knew, we didn’t know how or why, you know. What was really strange to us is that he clocks in at 10, so he hadn’t even been there 10 minutes,” she said.

"Nothing like this happens in Chesapeake," she added.

The family was preparing their Thanksgiving meal when they receive the news. They have their meal a day early because of the brother’s Walmart shift in preparation for Black Friday.

First victim killed at Chesapeake store is identified

16:08 , Oliver O'Connell

The first victim killed in the mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, has been identified as a 21-year-old worker at the store, after her family issued a desperate appeal to find her in the aftermath of the horror attack.

Rachel Sharp reports.

First victim killed in Chesapeake Walmart shooting is identified

Biden urges ‘greater action’ on gun reform

16:01 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden has urged “greater action” to combat the proliferation of firearms in the US after a gunman fatally shot six people inside a Walmart in Virginia on Tuesday night.

Alex Woodward reports.

Biden urges ‘greater action’ on gun reform after Chesapeake Walmart massacre

Earlier: Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky provides update

15:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Memorial for first victim placed in parking lot

15:49 , Oliver O'Connell

A memorial for the first identified victim has been placed in the parking lot of the Walmart store.

Tyneka Johnson had just turned 21, according to a family member at the scene.

“She was the nicest person who never bothered anyone,” they told John Gonzalez of 7 News.

Walmart statement

15:42 , Oliver O'Connell

Walmart released the following statement:

We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store. We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.

Witness says ‘laughing’ gunman ‘had issues’ with other coworkers

15:38 , Oliver O'Connell

A Walmart employee has claimed that the coworker who allegedly out a horror mass shooting at the store in Chesapeake, Virginia, had “issues” with some of their other colleagues and was “laughing” as he opened fire on his victims.

Six victims were killed when a disgruntled male store worker opened fire inside the break room of the store on Sam’s Circle at around 10pm on Tuesday night.\

Rachel Sharp reports.

Walmart shooting: Witness says ‘laughing’ gunman ‘had issues’ with other coworkers

What has been the response from Virginia lawmakers?

15:29 , Oliver O'Connell

Virginia’s governor, lieutenant governor, and both senators have tweeted their reactions to the news of the shooting.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin said: “Our hearts break with the community of Chesapeake this morning. I remain in contact with law enforcement officials throughout this morning and have made available any resources as this investigation moves forward. Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities.”

Lt Gov Winsome Earle-Sears appeared to attribute the incident to mental health issues. Neither she nor the governor use the word “shooting”, but instead refer to “violence”.

Democratic senators Louise Lucas and Mark Warner are “heartbroken” and “sickened” by another mass shooting. Senator Lucas said she “will not rest until we find the solutions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country that has taken so many lives”.

Statement from President Biden on the shooting in Chesapeake

15:18 , Oliver O'Connell

President Joe Biden

Witness says suspect was laughing and planned attack on coworkers

15:02 , Oliver O'Connell

WAVY reports a witness as saying the shooting was planned and targeted other managers at the store. She told a reporter for 10 On Your Side she heard the suspect laughing.

According to the witness, there were 14 employees in a meeting room waiting to learn their duties for the shift when the shooting began.

“It didn’t even look real until you could feel the gun go off,” said the witness who was only on her fifth day working at that Walmart. “I will never go back in that store again. I cannot, I can’t even leave my front door.”

WAVY reports the witness claims the gunman “had issues” with other managers at that Walmart which led her to believe the shooting was planned.

No motive has been confirmed by authorities.

Witness: Walmart manager opened fire in break room

14:54 , Oliver O'Connell

A Walmart manager opened fire on fellow employees gathered in the break room of a Virginia store, a witness said on Wednesday. Six people died in the country’s second high-profile mass shooting in a handful of days.

The gunman, who apparently killed himself, was dead when police found him, said Chesapeake Police Chief Mark G Solesky said. There was no clear motive for the shooting, which also left four people in the hospital.

The store was busy just before the attack on Tuesday night with people stocking up ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, a shopper told a local TV station.

Employee Briana Tyler said that workers had gathered in the store’s break room as they typically did ahead of their shifts.

“I looked up, and my manager just opened the door and he just opened fire,” she told ABC’s Good Morning America, adding that “multiple people” dropped to the floor.

“He didn’t say a word, he didn’t say anything at all,” she said.

AP

Police not commenting on report about music

14:45 , Rachel Sharp

Police have not confirmed or denied a claim that the suspect played “loud music” while he carried out his attack.

During Wednesday morning’s press conference, a reporter asked Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky if he could confirm the account.

He declined to comment about the detail at this time.

The police chief also refused to comment on where the shooting took place within the store and did not reveal the identities of the gunman or victims.

A law enforcement source told CNN the shooting unfolded in the store break room when the store employee opened fire on his colleagues.

Suspect not thought to be known to police

14:35 , Rachel Sharp

The male store worker who allegedly carried out the horror mass shooting in a Chesapeake Walmart store is not believed to have been on the radar of law enforcement prior to Tuesday’s attack.

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky was asked during a press conference on Wednesday morning whether the gunman, who was not named, was “known to police”.

The police chief said that they did not believe he was at this time.

Unclear if attack was ‘targeted'

14:25 , Rachel Sharp

It is currently unclear if the store worker who killed six victims before turning the gun on himself at a Walmart in Chesapeake targeted his victims or carried out the shooting at random.

During Wednesday morning’s press conference, Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky was asked if the attack was “targeted”.

He said he did not have that information at this time.

The victims have not been identified, with officials also declining to confirm whether any of those killed worked at the store.

New details given about shooting timeline

14:15 , Rachel Sharp

New details have been released about the timeline of the mass shooting.

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky said at the press briefing that law enforcement received the first 911 call at 10.12pm.

The first officers arrived on the scene two minutes later at 10.14pm and entered the store two minutes later at 10.16pm.

The scene was declared safe after officers found the suspect dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, said Chief Solesky.

Search warrant executed at suspect’s home

14:05 , Rachel Sharp

A search warrant has been executed at the suspect’s home in the aftermath of the mass shooting, police said.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky said that law enforcement had “cleared the house” and determined that there is “no ongoing risk to the public”.

The police chief did not release the identity of the shooter, confirming only that he is a store employee.

Pistol used in attack

13:55 , Rachel Sharp

The gun used in the attack was a pistol, police revealed in the press conference.

No further details about the murder weapon are known at this time including the exact make and model and whether or not it was legally purchased and registered to the suspect.

Police confirm suspect turned gun on himself

13:45 , Rachel Sharp

In Wednesday morning’s press conference, Chesapeake police confirmed that the suspect turned the gun on himself after carrying out the attack.

The identity of the gunman was not released and no motive revealed.

However, police did confirm that the assailant was a worker at the Walmart store.

Four victims being treated in hospital

13:35 , Rachel Sharp

Four victims who were wounded in the mass shooting are currently being treated in local hospitals, according to police.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky said that the conditions of the victims are currently unknown.

He did not release the identities of either the surviving victims or those killed in the attack.

Earlier, authorities said that five victims had been taken to hospital following the attack. It is not clear what led to the change in numbers – whether this was a mistake, whether one of the five died from their injuries or if they have since been discharged.

Gunman was store employee, police confirm

13:19 , Rachel Sharp

The gunman who allegedly killed six victims in the mass shooting inside a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, before turning the gun on himself has now been identified as a male store employee.

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday morning that the suspect is a store worker but would not reveal his identity because his next of kin is yet to be notified.

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky speaks at press conference

13:08 , Rachel Sharp

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky is speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning.

“We are truly saddened that the tragedy that took place in our community last night,” he said.

He added that officials are “praying for the friends, families and coworkers” affected by this “senseless violence”.

Virginia governor condemns ‘heinous’ shooting

12:55 , Rachel Sharp

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has condemned what he described as a “heinous act of violence” after seven people – including the shooter – were killed in a mass shooting in a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia.

“Our hearts break with the community of Chesapeake this morning,” he said in a statement early on Wednesday morning.

“I remain in contact with law enforcement officials throughout this morning and have made available any resources as this investigation moves forward. Heinous acts of violence have no place in our communities.”

Chesapeake mayor says he is ‘devastated’ by shooting

12:45 , Rachel Sharp

Chesapeake Mayor Rick West has released a statement saying that he is “devastated” by the “senseless act of violence” after six victims were killed in a mass shooting in a local Walmart superstore.

“I am devastated by the senseless act of violence that took place late last night in our City,” he said in the statement on Twitter.

“My prayers are with all those affected - the victims, their family, their friends, and their coworkers. I am grateful for the quick actions taken by our first responders who rushed to the scene.

“Chespeake is a tighknit community and we are all shaken by this news. Together, we will support each other througjout this time. Please keep us in your prayers.”

Virginia police to hold press conference on Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting

12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Virginia police are scheduled to hold a press conference on the mass shooting that left six victims and the suspected gunman dead at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia.

The massacre unfolded not long before store closing on Tuesday night when an employee reportedly opened fire on colleagues inside a break room.

Police were called to the store on Sam’s Circle at around 10.12pm to find multiple people dead and others injured on the scene.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the details:

Store likely to be closed for days

12:15 , Rachel Sharp

Chesapeake Police public information officer Leo Kosinski said in a press conference in the early hours of Wednesday morning that the Walmart store in Chesapeake had been cleared as safe.

It will likely be closed for several days as the investigation into the mass shooting continues.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have joined the investigation including Virginia Beach Police, the Chesapeake Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Washington.

Employee shot minutes after starting shift

12:00 , Rachel Sharp

A Walmart employee was shot in the mass shooting just minutes after he had started his shift, according to local outlet WAVY.

The victim, identified as a man in his 50s who had worked at the store for around 20 years, had clocked in for his shift at 10am, his sister Deborah told the outlet.

Deborah said that she had spoken to her brother on a family Zoom call as he was arriving at the store – as part of a Thanksgiving tradition.

She then received a call from him at around 10.18pm where he told her he had been shot and was being treated by police on the scene.

Incident marks Virginia’s second major mass shooting in two weeks

11:45 , Rachel Sharp

The massacre inside the Chesapeake Walmart store marks Virginia’s second major mass shooting in the space of two weeks.

On 13 November, three star football players from the University of Virginia were shot and killed as they returned to campus from a field trip.

Fellow student and former football player Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., 22, allegedly opened fire on the bus.

Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler were killed in the attack, while two other were injured but survived.

Mr Jones was arrested the following day and charged with murder and other charges.

Gunman believed to have turned gun on self

11:30 , Rachel Sharp

The gunman is believed to have turned the gun on himself after killing six people and wounding several more in a mass shooting at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Chesapeake Police public information officer Leo Kosinski said in a press conference that the shooter was dead and that it is not believed that any law enforcement officers fired shots when responding to the store.

However, he said he could not confirm whether the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A law enforcement source told CNN that the perpetrator is thought to have turned the gun on himself.

Shooting comes days after mass shooting in Colorado

11:15 , Rachel Sharp

The mass shooting at the Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, comes just days after America was rocked by another mass shooting inside an LGBT+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Five people were killed and 17 others injured when suspected gunman Anderson Lee Aldrich opened fire inside Club Q in Colorado Springs on Saturday night.

The massacre came to an end when heroic clubgoers tackled the shooter to the ground and detained him until police arrived on the scene.

The five victims killed in that attack were identified as Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh and Raymond Vance.

Everything we know about the Walmart Chesapeake mass shooting

11:00 , Rachel Sharp

Six victims have been killed and a gunman is dead following a mass shooting at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, where a man believed to be a store manager allegedly opened fire on colleagues inside the break room.

The incident unfolded just after 10pm on Tuesday night at the superstore on Sam’s Circle.

It comes just days before Thanksgiving when shoppers were likely stocking up on goods ahead of the holiday season.

Details about the incident are still emerging, with a press conference planning to hold a press conference at 8am local time on Wednesday.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp details what we know so far about the mass shooting:

Walmart mass shooting Chesapeake store deaths

Press briefing planned

10:45 , Rachel Sharp

A press conference has been planned for 8am local time on Wednesday to update the public about the case.

The briefing will be held at the Public Safety Operations Center, 2130 S Military Hwy, in Chesapeake.

Survivor text daughter from inside store

10:30 , Rachel Sharp

The daughter of a survivor of the mass shooting has revealed details about the terrifying moment that she learned her mother was inside the store.

Joetta Jeffery told CNN that her mother Betsy Umphlett sent her text messages telling her that gunfire had erupted inside the Walmart store when she was inside.

“I’m crying, I’m shaking,” Ms Jeffery told the network.

“I had just talked to her about buying turkeys for Thanksgiving, then this text came in.”

Her mother was uninjured in the attack and has now been reunited with her daughter.

Shooting comes days before Thanksgiving

10:15 , Rachel Sharp

The mass shooting inside the superstore comes just days before Thanksgiving holiday, as shoppers were likely stocking up to celebrate the holiday.

In a press conference a couple of hours after the attack, Chesapeake Police public information officer Leo Kosinski said that it wasn’t clear how many customers were inside the store at the time – but pointed out the close proximity to the busy holiday.

“It’s a very large store. It’s a supercenter... very large,” he said.

“We’re just a couple of days away from Thanksgiving so I don’t know how much shopping.”

Police confirm seven people including shooter killed in attack

10:00 , Rachel Sharp

Seven people – including the gunman – were killed in the mass shooting at the Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Tuesday night, authorities have confirmed.

The City of Chesapeake confirmed the death toll in a tweet in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“Chesapeake Police confirm 7 fatalities, including the shooter, from last night’s shooting at Walmart on Sam’s Circle,” it said.

Walmart employee describes near miss with shooter

09:45 , Rachel Sharp

A Walmart employee has described having a near miss with the shooter who killed up to 10 people inside the store.

Kevin Harper, a man who identified himself as a store worker, posted a video on social media from outside the store on Tuesday night in the aftermath of the shooting.

In the video, he claimed he had just left the break room when “one of the managers” entered “and just started spraying” bullets.

“I’d just left out of the break room, manager come up in there, started capping people up in there, started shooting, bro. The manager came in, started dumping, man. As soon as I left out the break room he went in there, man... that s*** wild,” he says in the video.

Mr Harper claims it was “one of the managers” and that other “associates” died in the attack.

Police have not confirmed these details.

“It’s wild, though, it was the manager, one of the managers,” he says.

“Blew people’s brains out and everything... He came in and just started spraying and s***,” he adds.

“Sadly, though, we lost a few of our associates, I don’t know how many.”

Gunman was store employee: police source

09:30 , Rachel Sharp

The gunman who has left up to 10 people dead in a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, is believed to be a current or former employee at the store.

A law enforcement source told CNN that the shooter was an employee or former employee at the store who opened fire on other workers inside the break room.

Police have not confirmed the identity of the attacker but said that they are believed to be among the dead.

Employee of 20 years shot during shift, says kin

09:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

An employee who worked at the Chesapeake Walmart for 20 years was rushed to the hospital with bullet injuries, his kin told WAVY News.

The employee, who was not identified by the news outlet, called his family around 10.18pm local time informing them that he’d been shot.

According to the report, the relative said it was comforting to know the employee is able to talk.

ATF and FBI join investigation

09:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The ATF in Washington tweeted after midnight that they were on the way to join the Chesapeake police in investigating the mass shooting at the Walmart store.

The FBI has joined the probe as well, local police said.

'Enough is enough,' says congresswoman

08:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Elaine Luria, a congresswoman from Virginia, in a tweet said "enough is enough".

She added: "Praying for the victims, their families and colleagues, and the Chesapeake community tonight."

Second major mass shooting in Walmart in three years

07:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

This is the second major mass shooting to take place inside a Walmart store in the US in over three years. In 2019, a gunman targeting Mexicans opened fire at a store in El Paso, Texas, killing at least 22 people.

Walmart didn’t have a security guard on duty that day.

Walmart issues statement

07:07 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Walmart in a statement today said that “we are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia, store.”

The company said: “We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates."

"We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates."

Five injured rushed to hospital for treatment

06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least five injured people from the Walmart store were rushed to the Norfolk General Hospital for treatment, Sentara Healthcare spokesperson Mike Kafka said.

Virginia senator ‘sickened’ by reports of mass shooting

06:09 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Mark Warner, a senator from Virginia, said he was "sickened" by the reports of "yet another mass shooting".

"Sickened by reports of yet another mass shooting, this time at a Walmart in Chesapeake," Mr Warner said in a tweet.

"I’ll be monitoring developments closely," he added.

"In the meantime, I urge all those in the community to listen to guidance from local law enforcement and stay away from the scene."

Police believe suspect is dead

06:05 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Leo Kosinski, a spokesperson for Chesapeake Police Department, said authorities believe that the suspect — a lone shooter — is dead.

The spokesperson said he doesn’t believe responding officers fired shots, but it was unclear whether the shooter was dead of a self-inflicting gunshot.

Family reunification site set up at Conference Center Drive

05:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A family reunification site has been set up at 700 Conference Center Drive.

The site has been set up "only for immediate family members or the emergency contact of those who may have been in the building".

Virginia senator ‘absolutely heartbroken’ with shooting in her constituency

05:38 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Louise Lucas, a Virginia senator, said that she was "heartbroken" that the latest shooting took place inside a Walmart that fell within her constituency.

“I am absolutely heartbroken that America’s latest mass shooting took place in a Walmart in my district in Chesapeake, Virginia tonight,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I will not rest until we find the solutions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country that has taken so many lives.”

Over 40 emergency vehicles rushed to the spot

05:33 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

More than 40 emergency vehicles were rushed to the scene on Battlefield Boulevard after a 911 call was made at 10.12pm local time on Tuesday.

Police believe toll is ‘less than 10’

05:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Leo Kosinski, a spokesperson for Chesapeake Police Department, said that there were multiple injured and "less than 10 dead".

He said when the officers arrived at the scene, they realised that it was an active shooting situation and changed their tactics accordingly.

"Over the course of next 30-40 minutes, we were able to find multiple fatalities and multiple injured parties."

Multiple fatalities as gunman opens fire at Walmart store

05:18 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A gunman has opened fire on a Walmart department store in Chesapeake, Virginia, with police saying there are “multiple fatalities” as well as wounded people at the scene.

According to the local police, the suspect — a lone shooter — is dead.

‘Multiple fatalities’ as gunman opens fire at Walmart store in Chesapeake

05:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog of a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia.