Police Conference for Collierville Kroger Shooting- Gunman Identified, 14 Wounded 1 Dead

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Collierville- During a press conference today it was confirmed that 14 people were wounded among the confirmed death of Olivia king at the Kroger grocery store shooting that occurred on September 23.

Ten of the victims were Kroger employees and five were customers.

“People will reflect back and say ‘Where were you when the Kroger shooting happened?’” Collierville Mayor Stan Joyner said.

According to the police chief, Dale Lane, the police response to the shooting was quick. The shooter took his life as police showed up only minutes after the shooting began.

Eyewitness footage showed people fleeing the scene in their cars as gunshots fired as well as an employee who fled to the roof being spoken to by police at the scene.

Other employees and customers at the store hid and took cover in the store when the gunshots began.

“We have broken hearts, nobody wants to go into that scene I promise you,” said Lane. “You do what you have to do.”

He encouraged the community to not live in fear when returning to the store in the future. “Prepare, be vigilant, run hide fight is the safest thing,” said Lane.

The shooter was Uk Thang, 29, a third-party vendor for Kroger. Currently, there is no known motive for the attack or information on the weapon involved.

“We dont want to speculate, I dont want to tell you something today and then have to come back to you tomorrow and tell you that we didn’t get it right,” said Lane.

According to Lane, Thang did have previous misdemeanors and arrests but nothing related to violence.

Police are currently investigating the vehicle Thang drove as well as his residence and the crime scene at Kroger.

“Our family is devastated by this senseless act of violence,” said Olivia King’s family in a statement today. “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.”

During the press conference at Regional One hospital, Dr. Martin Croce released that eight patients were received from the shooting yesterday. One of those patients has since passed and three are currently in critical condition.