One Person Dead and 14 Injured After Gunman Open Fired in a Tennessee Grocery Store

A gunman open fired and killed a woman, mother of three, and wounded 14 others right before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a Tennessee Kroger yesterday.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane identified the gunman as Uk Thang, 29, a third-party vendor for Kroger. Lane did not want to give out the name on video.

Thang shot five customers and 10 employees including the death of Olivia King around 1:30 p.m., according to police. The victims were taken to various hospitals.

“My heart is broken for the victims here,” said Lane.

Olivia King was a widowed mother of three. King’s family released a statement on her death. 

“Our family is devastated by this senseless act of violence,” it read. “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.” 

It is believed that Thang died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a matter of minutes after police came to the scene, according to Lane. He was found dead in the rear of the store. 

Employees and customers knew how to secure themselves, according to police. 

“We removed people from freezers, closets, hiding between palates of groceries, but they did what they had to do until we could get in there to help them,” said Lane.

Thang is believed to be the only suspect responsible for the attack, according to police.

A citizen flagged a police officer in the parking lot and said there was a shooting happening in Kroger, according to police. Information from callers said there was a male individual who was armed with a weapon shooting at others in Kroger. Emergency medical personnel from the Collierville Fire Department arrived to help provide medical aid. 

Lane said he has been doing this for 34 years and this is his first time seeing firefighters wearing ballistic helmets and vests. 

Collierville Fire Chief Buddy Billings said he has never been so proud of a group of people in his life. He said this event was tragic not only for the community, but for families. 

“I’m from here, I was born and raised here, and it tears at my soul to see what’s going on and I pray for each person that was injured yesterday,” said Billings. “I pray for the firemen. I pray for the policemen because the world came to Collierville.” 

Lane said the Kroger parking lot was full of officers and some that self-deployed. He said they have a great relationship in Collierville and are thankful for their partners. 

Lane’s team conducted active shooter training on June 4, 2021, with police from surrounding departments as well as the Collierville Fire Department. He said the training improved their response. 

Lane encouraged the community to not live in fear. 

“We can’t let them win and so how do we do that? We have to prepare ourselves; have a plan,” said Lane. 

He wants people to remain vigilant and can get people training to feel prepared. Lane said to know where your exits are so you can get out if something like this happens. 

Collierville Police Department detectives, sheriff squad and FBI evidence response team executed a search warrant at 885 Federal Ridge Road 102 and evidence including all electronics are being processed, according to Lane.

A vehicle and Thang’s backpack that he was wearing were checked for explosives, but none were found.

“This is a horrible day in Collierville,” said Lane. “Our hearts go out to the victims, families, and friends involved in the senseless tragedy. At this time, there are no known threats to the Collierville community and our department is working diligently to prevent further violence.” 

Regional One Health in Memphis dispatched five helicopters to the scene, according to Dr. Peter E. Fischer, the trauma medical director at Regional One Health. Another three helicopters were dispatched from other agencies, but two ended up making the scene, said Fischer. 

Eight victims were taken to Regional One Health, according to Dr. Andy Kerwin, chief of trauma at Regional One Health. Six are still in the hospital and one was treated and released. Three needed emergency surgery and are in critical condition.

“It was a team effort,” said Dr. Martin Croce, chief medical officer at Regional One Health. 

Croce said they were able to mobilize all the patients and resources needed to take care of the mass causality situation.

Police are investigating the motive, but Thang did not appear to have a specific target, according to Lane. Thang had minor charges including a misdemeanor arrest.

The investigation into the active shooter tragedy continues as the police works with the local, state and federal agencies to uncover more information, according to police. 

The Kroger store at 240 New Byhalia Road in Collierville is secure as this is an active investigation.