CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The City of Chesapeake is remembering the six lives lost in the mass shooting at Walmart on November 22, 2022, which took so many lives.
Just days before Thanksgiving 2022, six store employees lost their lives in a massacre that occurred around evening shift change.
The shooting killed Tineka Johnson, Brian Pendleton, Randy Blevins, Kelly Pyle, Lorenzo Gamble, and Fernando Chavez-Barron. Their ages range from 16 to 70.
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“Every time I go to that store, I think about what a tragedy happened,” said one shopper.
Walmart stores closed Wednesday night at 5 p.m. Walmart executives said they did this in consideration of all employees who may have been there on the night of the shooting.
“This is a tough week for our employees, and we are doing everything we can to support them,” said Eddie Bostic, Walmart’s regional vice president.
Bostic said in a video statement that Walmart will provide free grief counseling to all employees at the store and asked other staff members to come in and help run the store so some employees can take time off. He said he did.
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This comes days after a judge ruled that a $50 million lawsuit brought by employees on the night of the shooting could be brought forward.
Chesapeake city leaders also posted on social media to commemorate the one-year anniversary, writing, “Today we remember the precious lives lost on November 22, 2022. We honor their families and friends. We send love to those who have been hurt by this senseless act, both physically and mentally. ”
Walmart stores will be closed until 6 a.m. Friday.