Virginia Walmart mass shooting: Store to close for the 'foreseeable future'

Employees will continue to be paid, the company said.

A Virginia community is reeling after a man armed with a handgun shot and killed six people and injured several others in a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake.

Survivors said the gunman walked into a break room and opened fire on Nov. 22.

The suspect, a current employee, died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Two victims remain in the hospital and two have been released, Walmart said Tuesday.


Employee complained about suspect's behavior months before shooting: Lawsuit

In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, a Walmart employee accused the company of being negligent by continuing to employ suspected shooter Andre Bing despite a written complaint the employee submitted about Bing's alleged disturbing behavior more than two months before the shooting.

Donya Prioleau, an employee who had worked at Walmart for more than a year and was in the room during the shooting, alleged Walmart knew or should have known about Bing's "violent propensities" and accused the company of failing to "enact any preventative measures to keep Walmart customers and employees safe," according to the suit.

Prioleau is seeking $50 million in damages.

Walmart said that it's reviewing the complaint and "will be responding as appropriate with the court."

-ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab and Luke Barr


Walmart to close store for the 'foreseeable future'

Walmart has announced plans to close the Chesapeake store for the "foreseeable future."

"All associates will continue being paid regardless of planned schedules," CEO John Furner wrote in an email to staff on Tuesday.

The company is supporting the victims' families with funeral, travel and other expenses, and the Walmart Foundation intends to contribute $1 million to the United Way of South Hampton Roads' Hope & Healing Fund, "which will support those impacted by the shooting and the broader Chesapeake community," Furner added.

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson


Crime scene investigation complete

The FBI and Chesapeake Police Department's forensic unit have completed their crime scene investigation at the Walmart store, the city said Saturday.

"The store will now be handed back to Walmart who will determine what comes next for this location," the city said in an update on Twitter.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, the city said.

Walmart said in a statement that it plans to "work very closely with our associates and rely on their input to determine the best time to reopen the store."



Emergency declaration following shooting

The Chesapeake City Council will meet on Monday at 5 p.m. for a special meeting where leaders are expected to confirm the emergency declaration to "free up funding to support recovery following the Walmart shooting," the city tweeted on Friday.

The declaration states: "as a result of this tragedy, impacted citizens face the need for continued emergency resources and necessitating the proclamation of a local emergency to alleviate this condition."

The state of emergency, if agreed upon, will continue through Dec. 5, 2022.

After the council meeting, city officials will gather with the mayor for a public citywide candlelight vigil with Chesapeake Mayor Rick West.

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson


'Very, very proud of the response,' city manager says

Chesapeake City Manager Chris Price said Wednesday that he was "very, very proud of the response of our public safety team" after the mass shooting at a Walmart.

"You hope a day like this never comes, but you train for it," Price said during a press conference. "We practice, we talk about it, we discuss, we learn lessons from other places, we try to put those lessons to good use, hoping those lessons will never have to be put to good use."

Price described Chesapeake as a "wonderful place" where the community comes together "when times are good" and "when times are difficult."

"I know it pains all of us to be together today on this day of incredible tragedy and unimaginable sadness," he added.

Price then read a statement from Chesapeake Mayor Rick West, who tested positive for COVID-19 and could not attend the press conference.

"I am devastated by the senseless act of violence that took place late last night in our city," Price said, quoting West’s statement. "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 throughout this time. Please keep us in your prayers."

The mayor as well as the city council have all been fully briefed on the shooting and the response, according to Price.