Who were Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting victims? 5 of the 6 people killed by Andre Bing identified
This article contains distressing information. Discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA: Several hours after identifying the irate manager who carried out the killings, police have named five of the six people murdered during a mass shooting at a Virginia Walmart on Tuesday, November 22. The City of Chesapeake named five of the dead victims in a press release on Wednesday evening, November 23- Lorenzo Gamble, Kellie Pyle, Brian Pendleton, Tyneka Johnson, and Randy Blevins. According to the city, a 16-year-old teen was the sixth fatality. Due to his age, his name and photograph were suppressed. The ages of the victims range from 16 to 70.
The shooter, Andre Bing, 31, a store manager from Sam's Circuit, Chesapeake, opened fire in the Walmart's break room at 10.12 pm, as per the city. Cops claimed that 14 workers had convened there for a pre-shift briefing, and local media reported that Bing had a list of targets in mind. Before turning the pistol on himself, Bing, an evening worker who was regarded by those who knew him as a loner, shot a total of ten people, Daily Mail reported.
READ MORE
Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting: Police confirm up to 10 dead in Virginia massacre
Daily Mail reported that "The City of Chesapeake has always been known as the ‘City That Cares’ and now, more than ever, we know our City will show up and care for those who need it most," according to the release naming the victims. It also reads, "the sixth victim is a 16-year-old male resident of Chesapeake whose name and photo are being withheld at the time due to him being a minor. Please join us in praying for the family and friends of these community members who we have lost."
Beginning on Wednesday, tributes to the victims from their grieving families began to circulate. The 43-year-old mother of the killed employee, Lorenzo Gamble, expressed regret that her son had abandoned a family. Lorenzo had worked at the store for 15 years and was about to transfer to another place. "My quiet baby Lorenzo is gone he work there for 15 years,he was going transfer to grassfield.they need get rid of guns,too much killing all over this land. Now his sons is loss without him," the devastated mom wrote on Facebook.
Brian Baker, the 52-year-old victim Kellie Pyle's boyfriend, published a touching post on Wednesday in memory of his partner. The caption for the tribute reads, "Until we see each other again my angel."
Meanwhile, the distraught mother of Brian Pendleton, a Walmart janitor who would have been 39 next week, spoke over the phone with ABC. Michelle Johnson told the publication, "He had a real big heart. Anybody that wanted to laugh, or just want company, he'd buy you lunch. He'd buy you anything in a minute." According to his mother, Pendleton was a custodian at Walmart for about 11 years and "loved his job."
Police reported that in addition to the six victims, four other individuals who had been in the breakroom at the time of the shooting were still in the hospital as of Wednesday morning. A minimum of six individuals were taken to hospitals for medical attention. The body of Bing was found along with two victims in the breakroom by the police. Police have not yet verified that each person was a Walmart employee.
Former staffers described their ex-manager as "weird" and "nasty with an attitude." Someone also said that he was paranoid and believed the government is keeping an eye on him and kept his phone camera taped, reported the Daily Mail. “Everyone called him weird. That was all anyone could say about Andre,” Shaundrayia Reese, who previously worked with him, told The New York Times.