This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/may/26/walmart-shooting-north-dakota

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Walmart shooting in North Dakota leaves two dead and one injured US airman identified as gunman in Walmart shooting that left two dead
(about 3 hours later)
Two people, including the gunman, died and another person was injured in a shooting early Tuesday at a Walmart store in Grand Forks, North Dakota, police said. A US airman walked into a Walmart store early on Tuesday and opened fire with a handgun, killing one worker and injuring a second before turning the gun on himself, police said.
Police said the shooting that occurred a few minutes after 1am may have been random, with no link yet found between Marcell Willis, 21, and either the store or the employees. Willis was stationed at Grand Forks air force base, about 12 miles west of the city.
Police did not provide information about the gunman or victims. Grand Forks air force base issued a statement saying an airman was involved in the shooting, but did not elaborate. “We’ve not been able to find any linkage to him and any of the victims. That’s not to say that can’t change,” police lieutenant Derik Zimmel said during an afternoon news conference. “There’s no apparent motive that jumps out at this time.”
The shooter was the only person with a gun, and no police officers fired a weapon, according to lieutenant Derik Zimmel. Authorities did not immediately identify the two workers who were shot or a third worker they say Willis shot at but missed. The injured person was taken to Altru hospital in Grand Forks with a gunshot wound that was not believed to be life-threatening, Zimmel said. An Altru spokeswoman said the person was listed in “satisfactory condition” on Tuesday afternoon.
“We do not believe there is any further risk to the public,” Zimmel said. He would not go as far as to say the gunman shot himself and provided no details of what led to the shooter’s death. Willis was given medical treatment at the scene and taken to Altru, where he was pronounced dead, Zimmel said.
One other person was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening, Zimmel said. Altru Hospital in Grand Forks said in a statement that person was listed in “satisfactory condition” midmorning on Tuesday. Willis was the only person with a gun and no police officers fired a weapon, according to Zimmel. A handgun was recovered near Willis’s body, Zimmel said.
Officers responded to reports of gunshots a few minutes after 1am on Tuesday.
Andy Legg, who was in the store at the time of the shooting, told WDAZ-TV that he heard “popping sounds” shortly before authorities herded him and other customers to a safe section of the store.Andy Legg, who was in the store at the time of the shooting, told WDAZ-TV that he heard “popping sounds” shortly before authorities herded him and other customers to a safe section of the store.
“I saw people running. At that time, we heard people screaming, one yelling for help,” he said.“I saw people running. At that time, we heard people screaming, one yelling for help,” he said.
When police later escorted them from the building, they passed a Walmart employee lying on the ground, covered in blood.When police later escorted them from the building, they passed a Walmart employee lying on the ground, covered in blood.
“It’s just something you don’t see every day and really don’t want to see,” Legg said. “I had goose bumps for probably two hours after that.”“It’s just something you don’t see every day and really don’t want to see,” Legg said. “I had goose bumps for probably two hours after that.”
A Swat team that responded to the scene searched a car in the parking lot but found no threats.A Swat team that responded to the scene searched a car in the parking lot but found no threats.
The Walmart is one of two in the north-eastern North Dakota city of about 55,000 people. The store is open 24 hours. The Walmart is one of two in the north-eastern North Dakota city of about 55,000 people. The store is open 24 hours, though it was closed on Tuesday while authorities investigated the shooting. The company said it did not know when the store would reopen.
“We are deeply saddened about this situation and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” the company said in a statement. “We are still learning information about the events surrounding this tragedy and assisting law enforcement in their investigation.”“We are deeply saddened about this situation and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” the company said in a statement. “We are still learning information about the events surrounding this tragedy and assisting law enforcement in their investigation.”
Walmart spokesman Brian Nick said in a statement there were about 30 employees and 20 customers in the store at the time of the shooting. Walmart spokesman Brian Nick said in a statement that there were about 30 employees and 20 customers in the store at the time of the shooting.
“There weren’t a lot due to the early morning hour,” Nick said.“There weren’t a lot due to the early morning hour,” Nick said.
There are about 1,500 airmen assigned to the Grand Forks air force base, the military said. The base, about 20 miles west of the city, was home to air refueling tankers for 50 years until a round of military base closings and realignments took that away. The last tankers left in 2011 and the base has taken on an unmanned aircraft mission. About 1,500 airmen are assigned to the Grand Forks air force base, the military said. The base was home to air refueling tankers for 50 years until a round of military base closings and realignments took that away. The last tankers left in 2011 and the base has taken on an unmanned aircraft mission.