Two Dead, 15 Injured at Kroger Grocery Store in Collierville, Tennessee

A shooter killed a mother of three and injured 14 others on Thursday, Sept.23 at Kroger grocery store in Collierville at 1:30 p.m.

First responders received calls of an active shooter at this Kroger on Thursday. The first police car arrived at 1:34, Police Chief Dale Lane said. The officers went into the store and began clearing the store. Firefighters followed in ballistic gear that they bought for moments like this.

The individual was a male, named UK thang, he was armed and was shooting openly at others in the store. The shooter was later found dead, with a self-inflicted gun wound in the head.

People were hiding in freezers, in pallets in front of groceries, locked offices. One employee fled to the roof and was escorted to safety by the police. “They did what they were trained to do. Run, hide, fight. I hate that we have to do that here,” Lane said.

At the time there were 44 employees in the store, police said.

When asked about the shooter’s name. ” I’m not going to give you his name today, I’m not giving him notoriety and a platform.” Lane said.

Later they gave his name as, UK thang, 29-year-old, who was a third-party vendor for Kroger.

Ten of the victims shot were Kroger employees and five were customers, Lane said.

The death at the scene was 70-year-old Olivia King.

“I think we should start out today by recognizing the one fatality that we had, Olivia King. I would like you to keep her family in your prayers.” Lane said.

King was a widowed mother of three.

“Our family is devastated by this senseless act of violence, we ask that you pray for the response 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 gods’ mercy on the shooter and his family. Thank you.” said Jason King, King’s oldest son.

Mayor Stan Joyner said for Collierville this is going to be one of those ” where were you when” events, where we will reflect and say where were you the day that the Kroger shooting happened. “That’s not something to be excited about, but it is the reality,” Joyner said.

“I want to thank our first responders at the scene, the police department, Chief Lane, and the fire department. Just want to say they made us proud,” Joyner said.

The FBI is at the shooting scene and helping the police with the investigation. The shooter’s vehicle was found in the Kroger parking lot, they had a bomb squad check it out for explosives.

“The suspect was a lone gunman. He had some minor charges in his criminal history,” Lane said. Police said they still don’t know what the motive is, or what gun was involved in the shooting. There is now a search warrant executed for the shooter’s house, 855 Federal Ridge Road #102.

“We’re going to carry this thing as far as we can to see and make sure there’s no one else involved,” Lane said.

The authorities are investing the shooting to be a possible workplace act of violence, questions about the shooter’s employment history.

When asked if the shooter was fired from Kroger, “I’m not sure,” Lane said.

“We didn’t lose anyone overnight, but there are still some people who are battling,”Lane said. The other victims were taken to the hospital. Six of them are still in the hospital, three are in critical condition.

One victim was not shot but suffered from an anxiety attack, police said.

” We received a total of eight patients yesterday, shortly after what took place. One is deceased, three are in critical condition, three required emergency surgeries after they arrived,” said Dr.Andy Kerwin chief of trauma, at Regional one health.

“What I encourage people to do is, don’t live in a state of fear, be alert, be vigilant. we have to move on we can’t let him win,”Lane said.

Lane said that they will be processing this until tomorrow afternoon.

“Shooter at the Kroger in Collierville,” said Jason Lusk on Facebook.