Feb. 7, 2022 Richland, Washington, shooting news | CNN

Active shooter situation at Washington Fred Meyer

Updates

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One dead, one injured and an at-large suspect: What we know about the Fred Meyer shooting

A shooting inside a grocery store in Richland, Washington, has left one person dead and another in critical condition.

Police just finished giving the media an update on the shooting. Here’s what we know:

  • The suspect — who Richland Police Commander Chris Lee said had previous contact with local police — remains at large.
  • Police believe the weapon used in the fatal shooting was a handgun, though the caliber and make are still unknown.
  • The suspect and the deceased shared an exchange, described by police as “some sort of interaction,” prior to the incident.
  • The injured person is a Fred Meyer employee and is currently listed in critical condition and undergoing surgery at a nearby hospital.
  • Police were dispatched to the scene at 11:04 a.m. local time (2:04 p.m. ET).
  • The Fred Meyer store remains under police control at this time
  • Anyone who was a witness to the incident is urged to contact local law enforcement.

The names of the victims and the suspect have not yet been released. Richland Police plans to provide another update at 4:30 p.m. local time, or 7:30 p.m. ET.

Richland Police say they are "actively looking for the suspect" following fatal grocery store shooting

Police in Richland, Washington, released a statement following the deadly shooting inside a Fred Meyer grocery store.

The statement was posted to the department’s Facebook page, and reads as follows:

SOON: Richland Police will give a statement on fatal Fred Meyer shooting incident

Police in Richland, Washington, say they will give a statement following today’s deadly shooting at a Fred Meyer grocery store. The press conference is set to begin at 2:15 p.m. local time, or 5:15 p.m. ET.

One person was killed while another was injured and transported to the hospital after the shooting.

A search for the shooter is still underway.

Richland Police believe the suspect in Fred Meyer shooting used a handgun

Richland Police Commander Chris Lee told CNN officials believe the suspect in the Fred Meyer shooting Monday used a handgun.

One person was killed and another was injured and transported to a local hospital after the suspect opened fire shortly after 11 a.m. local time. The condition of the person hurt is unknown at this time, Lee said.

Police and the FBI are among law enforcement officials searching for the suspect who fled the scene.

FBI Seattle spokesperson Steve Bernd told CNN they are assisting Richland, Washington, police in identifying and searching for the person responsible for the Fred Meyer grocery shooting. 

Bernd said that they are looking for only one suspect at this time.

Fred Meyer grocery store says it is "deeply saddened" after fatal shooting

A spokesperson for Fred Meyer shared condolences and grief following Monday’s fatal shooting in Richland, Washington.

According to Richland police, at least one person was killed, and one injured person was sent to the hospital following the shooting, which began inside Fred Meyer shortly after 11 a.m. local time. Fred Meyer is owned by Kroger.

“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,” the Fred Meyer spokesperson shared in the statement, adding “to protect the integrity of the investigation, we are referring questions to the Richland Police Department.”

The shooting suspect is still at large and a search is underway. 

At least 1 dead in Fred Meyer shooting, coroner says

At least one person is dead and another is injured in the active shooting incident at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Richland, Washington.

Benton County Chief Deputy Coroner Dennis Morris told CNN they have been notified of at least one fatality at Fred Meyer.

The Benton County Coroner’s office has not been dispatched to the scene, Morris said.

At least one injured person has been sent to the hospital, Richland Police added.

Richland Police commander Chris Lee says his agency received a call from the store describing a white man shooting and yelling inside the location.

The call came in at 11:04 a.m. local time, and Lee added that units are clearing the scene while a search for the suspect is underway.

Police say they are not certain whether the suspect fled on foot or in a vehicle.

 Law enforcement ask for help identifying "suspect" connected to shooting at Fred Meyer

Local law enforcement are asking the public for helping in identifying a “suspect” who is connected to an active shooter situation at a Richland, Washington, Fred Meyer store. 

The Richland Police Department posted an additional photo of the individual on their Facebook, asking anyone with information to call (509) 628-0333.

Several schools in lockdown due to police activity at a Fred Meyer store

Several schools in the Richland, Washington, area are in non-critical lockdown due to “police activity at the Fred Meyer on Wellsian Way.” 

Richland Police posted on Facebook that they are asking the public to avoid the area writing, ”This is still an active scene. Please continue to avoid the area. The suspect has not yet been located.”

FBI Seattle Field office spokesperson Steve Bernd told CNN, “We are on scene, providing assistance to our partners. We don’t have further details at this time.”

ATF confirms active shooter situation at Washington Fred Meyer grocery store

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives confirmed to CNN that it received a call for assistance for an active shooter situation at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Richland, Washington. 

ATF Seattle field office spokesperson Jason Chudy also confirmed to CNN that special agents from their Yakima, Washington, field office were en route to support the Richland Police Department with the active shooter investigation.