A couple hundred shoppers were in the store at the time.
One employee was killed and two others were injured in a shooting allegedly carried out by a coworker at an office of a Stop & Shop supermarket in West Hempstead, New York, on Tuesday, police said.
The victim who died was a 49-year-old man, according to police. The survivors are recovering in the hospital, police said. One was shot in the chest, and the other was shot in the shoulder.
Police said the suspect, 31-year-old Gabriel Dewitt Wilson, was apprehended Tuesday afternoon following an hourslong search.
The suspect, whose job is to collects carts in the supermarket lot, is alleged to have used a “small handgun,” police said.
When Wilson arrived to work at about 11:19 a.m., he went straight to a second-floor office where he allegedly shot a man and a woman, police said. He then allegedly went to another office where he shot and killed a manager, police said.
Police said they do not have a motive.
A couple hundred shoppers were in the store at the time, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.
During the search for Wilson, authorities asked residents to stay indoors as they canvassed the area. The West Hempstead School District was on a “lock out,” meaning people weren’t allowed into school buildings.
“We are shocked and heartbroken by this act of violence,” Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop, said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our associates, customers and the first responders who have responded heroically to this tragic situation,” he said. “At this time, we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement on the investigation. The store will remain closed until further notice, and we appreciate the Long Island community’s support during this difficult time.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is “closely monitoring” the shooting.
“The New York State Police has been directed to assist local authorities in their search for the perpetrator, and my team and I are in constant contact with first responders on the ground,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I’m praying for the victims, and my heart breaks for their families and loved ones.”
