Police identify Kroger shooter

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — One person was killed and 14 others were injured after a shooting Thursday afternoon at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville, Tennessee, WHBQ-TV reported.

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Update 12:18 p.m. EDT Sept. 24: Police have released the name of the gunman who opened fire at a Collierville, Tennessee, Kroger Thursday.

Police said UK Thang was a third-party vendor and not an employee of Kroger, WHBQ reported.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said Thang had previous misdemeanor arrests.

Police searched Thang’s apartment Thursday night. One additional person was questioned but no charges will be fired in relation to the shooting.

The number of victims stands at 15, including the one woman who had been killed.

Some took shelter by hiding in freezers, closets, offices, and between food pallets, WHBQ reported.

A forensics team is on scene Friday looking for evidence.

Update 11:19 a.m. EDT Sept. 24: The number of shot has climbed to 15 in Thursday’s shooting at a Collierville, Tennessee, Kroger grocery store, police announced during a news conference.

Ten of the victims were employees and five were customers who were shot by man who was a third-party vendor, WHBQ reported.

Update 11:01 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: The family of a woman killed during a mass shooting at a Kroger grocery store in Collierville, Tennessee, released a statement Thursday night.

The woman was identified as Olivia King, WHBQ-TV reported.

“Our family is devastated by this senseless act of violence,” King’s family said in a statement. “We ask that you pray for the repose of the soul of our mother, Olivia King. We also ask everyone for their prayers for all families and friends affected by the events today, as well as for God’s mercy on the shooter and his family. Thank you.”

King was killed and 12 people were injured when a gunman opened fire at the store Thursday afternoon in the city, located 30 miles east of Nashville. The gunman also died, and police believe his wound was self-inflicted.

Maureen Fraser, the vice mayor of Collierville, also identified the person who died as King. Fraser also said that King was a shopper in the grocery store when the gunman opened fire.

“Please pray for my dear friend Olivia King and her amazing sons and family,” Fraser wrote on Facebook. “I will miss her terribly.”

Update 7:16 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said at an evening news conference that there were 44 employees in the store at the time of the shooting. Lane said he did not know how many customers were in the store when the gunman opened fire.

Lane said all of the employees have been accounted for, and that the numbers remained the same from earlier Thursday: One person was killed and 13 were injured in the shooting. The shooter was also dead, and police said they believe the man died from a self-inflicted wound. No officers were hurt, Lane said.

Kroger spokesperson Teresa Dickerson said the store would remain closed.

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Kroger Collierville Active Shooter A massive police scene unfolds after an active shooter was reported an the Kroger in Collierville on New Byhalia Rd. (WHBQ)

Update 7:05 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: According to WHBQ-TV, officials said that four of the victims were in critical condition and five had suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Two victims were taken to another area hospital and another walked to another hospital.

Update 6:52 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: Officials from Kroger issued a statement Thursday evening, saying they were “deeply saddened” by the shooting at the store in Collierville.

“The entire Kroger family offers our thoughts, prayers and support to the individuals and families of the victims during this difficult time,” the statement said. “We are cooperating with local law enforcement, who have secured the store and parking lot. The store will remain closed while the police investigation continues, and we have initiated counseling services for our associates.

“To protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, we are referring questions to the Collierville Police Department.”

Update 4:18 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said during an afternoon news conference that one person was killed and 12 people were injured during the shooting at the Kroger store at the suburban Memphis grocery store.

“It breaks my heart to have to stand before you today,” Lane said. “It’s horrific.”

Lane said the shooter was also killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The chief said investigators were going to check the shooter’s vehicle, which was in the parking lot of the grocery store, for clues. Lane told reporters that there was only one shooter.

“This has been the most horrific event to happen in Collierville history,” Lane said.

Update 4 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: Memphis police are assisting Collierville police as they work to secure the scene of Thursday’s shooting.

Update 3:55 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: Collierville High School was placed under lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of an active shooter situation at the nearby Kroger grocery store, WHBQ reported.

The lockdown has since been lifted and students have been dismissed, according to the news station.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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