Shooting in West Hempstead – New York: At least 1 dead, 2 hurt.
At least one person was killed and two injured after a shooter opened fire inside a manager’s office at a Long Island grocery store Tuesday, police said.
The Nassau County Police Department tweeted that the suspect “has been apprehended and taken into custody.” Earlier, Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder named Gabriel DeWitt Wilson as a person of interest and told reporters the suspect fled the scene at the Stop & Shop in West Hempstead, New York, heading west on a turnpike.
Ryder said the suspect was dressed in all black and believed to be armed with a small handgun. He said the man may be a current or former employee of the grocery store.
The person killed was a 49-year-old store employee, Ryder said, adding that the two wounded were hospitalized and were conscious and alert. About 200 shoppers were inside the store, and the shooting occurred inside an upstairs manager’s office, he said.
“They told us to just run and get out, and that’s what we did,” shopper Laura Catanese told News 12 Long Island.
Police tweeted a photo of Wilson and asked the public to call 911 if they saw him.
Nassau County police officer Scott Santomero confirmed to Webtopnews officers were responding to a call before noon Tuesday of shots fired at the Stop & Shop.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was monitoring the situation and state police have been directed to assist local authorities. “I’m praying for the victims, and my heart breaks for their families and loved ones.”
In a statement, Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid said he was “shocked and heartbroken by this act of violence.”
