Police are continuing to hunt for an “armed and dangerous” man who killed one person and severely injured another on Monday during a shooting at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Richland, Washington.
“We will not rest until he’s in custody,” Richland police chief Brigit Clary said on Monday during a news conference, adding she’s feels “very confident” the multi-agency manhunt will locate the suspect soon.
The Richland Police warn that the store is still an “active scene” while they hunt for a suspect, who they say should be considered “armed and dangerous.”
“The safety of our citizens remains of utmost concern. The Richland Police Department is actively looking for the suspect,” the department wrote on its Facebook page on Monday afternoon. “The suspect left the store and it is undetermined if he left on foot or in a vehicle. One person has died and another is in the hospital with injuries. The suspect has been described as a middle aged white male. Photos have been distributed. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.”
The Fred Meyer store will remain closed overnight as police process the crime scene. Numerous local and state police offices, as well as federal agencies like the FBI and US Marshals, are assisting with the investigation.
Police have identified a person of interest in the case, but are declining to release his name or other information to protect an ongoing investigation. They have released surveillance photos of the wanted individual, which appear to show a man in a flannel shirt and vest with a black face-covering.
“We had multiple investigative efforts concentrated at the scene. Just through witnesses. We had a large amount of witnesses inside the store,” added chief Clary. “We posted a picture on social media, and we had a lot of information flooding in regard the suspect.”
Police were called to the store just after 11am on Monday morning, after getting reports of “yelling and possible gun shots” inside Fred Meyer.
“Don’t go in, there’s a shooter in there,” a local resident recalled hearing in the parking lot from people fleeing the store. “Right at that point, I heard shots fired.”
At least 10 shots were fired inside the store, according to one witness.
The suspected shooter had an interaction with his victim before killing him, according to police.
“The suspect and the deceased male from inside had some sort of interaction inside the store. We don’t know exactly to what extent that was,” a Richland police officer told reporters on Monday afternoon. “What we saw on video was a conversation. We don’t know what that conversation was.” A second individual, a Fred Meyer employee, was also shot by the suspect, and is in critical condition, receiving surgery at a local hospital.
A motive for the shooting has not been established at this time, and police are unsure if the suspect fled on foot or in a vehicle. The shooter appears to drive a white pickup truck.
Washington State Police, as well as federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are also assisting with the investigation.
Troopers have closed down streets near the store as police continue to probe the crime scene and search for a suspect.
Emergency dispatchers reported getting calls of possible sightings of the suspected shooter at other local locations including a grocery store and an apartment complex. The Fred Meyer grocery chain expressed its condolences to the community on Monday.
“The entire Fred Meyer family offers our thoughts, prayers, and support to all affected individuals and families during this difficult time,” the company wrote in a statement on Monday. “We are cooperating with local law enforcement, who have secured the store and parking lot. The store will remain closed while the police investigation continues, and we have initiated counseling services for our associates.”
