UPDATE: Collierville Kroger mass shooting

(This post will continue to be updated as more information comes to light)

As the sun set on Collierville Thursday evening, local police officers and FBI agents continued to investigate the scene of a mass shooting that occurred inside of the Kroger at 240 New Byhalia while the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office blocked traffic from traveling northbound on Byhalia Road.

UK Thang, the 29-year-old male shooter, reportedly took his own life after opening fire on Kroger employees and shoppers.

Fifteen people were shot and one, Olivia King, has been reported deceased. Most of those injured are considered to be in “stable condition.” Three remain in critical condition.

Olivia King

Ten of the victims were employees and the other five were customers.

One victim was not shot but suffered an anxiety attack and drove to the hospital.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said that one of the injured was in surgery Thursday evening while another remained in the intensive care unit.

UK Thang

Thang was a third-party vendor working at the Kroger, Lane said.

Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane addresses the media Thursday evening. He noted that the department hosted an “active shooting training scenario” less than three months ago. Photos by Graham Sweeney

Lane said that the shooting happened at around 1:30 p.m.

Officers arrived four minutes later.

“Our first responders ran in without hesitation,” he said. “That building was flooded with blue uniforms.”

No officers were injured.

When asked if any children were among those injured, Lane responded “not that I’ve been told at this point.”

Lane said to keep those injured “in your hearts.”

Some Kroger employees hid in refrigerator units once the shooting began.

Lane noted that there were 44 employees in the store at the time of the shooting.

Students at Collierville High School around three miles away were sheltered in place but a school lockdown was lifted Thursday afternoon.

The Collierville Police Department, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, TBA, ATF and FBI reported to the scene on Thursday afternoon.

“Many partners came to help us and I’m so thankful for them today,” Lane said. “This tragedy could have been much worse.”

One employee said that she couldn’t believe that “something like this” would happen in Collierville.

She recounted that the shooter began rapidly firing as soon as he entered the store.

Lane said Thursday evening that the investigation remains “ongoing” and that there are no “known additional threats.”

Teresa Dickerson, media relations for Kroger’s Delta Division, said that the Kroger on Byhalia Road will be closed until further notice. She added that each of the employees will be provided counseling after Thursday’s shooting. Photos by Graham Sweeney

Dale said that investigators searched the shooter’s vehicle for potential “booby traps” but found none.

“Nothing has been discovered at this point,” he said. “We’re not going to release what was removed from that vehicle.”

He added that a search warrant has been issued for at least one other location.

Thursday night, police executed a search warrant at 885 Federal Ridge Road, which Lane said was the suspect’s residence

“There was no credible evidence that there was a second shooter,” said Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane. “I know there were some reports that there was another individual on the roof but I can personally tell you that was a Kroger employee because I was part of getting him off.” Photos by Graham Sweeney
News anchors and reporters prepare for a 6:10 p.m. briefing with Chief Lane in the Kroger parking lot. Photos by Graham Sweeney
Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office barricade Byhalia Road from traffic Thursday evening. Photos by Graham Sweeney

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