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

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.

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

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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

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.”

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.