This aerial photo provided by WABC shows police responding to the scene of a shooting at a Stop & Shop supermarket in West Hempstead, N.Y., on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
WABC via AP
Three people were shot at a Stop & Shop grocery store in Long Island’s town of West Hempstead on Tuesday, law enforcement sources tell NBC News 4, and the suspect in the attack remained at large as of early afternoon.
One of the victims is believed dead and two others are wounded. The nature of the survivors’ injuries isn’t known.
The suspect is thought to have fled after the shooting, possibly jumping on a nearby bus to escape. No further details about him were immediately made available, nor was any information about a potential motive released.
The West Hempstead School District confirmed that its schools were in a “lock out” and urged the public not to come to its buildings. A spokeswoman for Nassau County said police were asking all nearby residents to remain indoors.
In a statement, Stop & Shop said it was “shocked and heartbroken by this act of violence that occurred at our store.”
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our associates, customers and the first responders who have responded heroically to this tragic situation,” the statement continued. “At this time, we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement on the investigation. The store will remain closed until further notice, and we appreciate the Long Island community’s support during this difficult time.”
Video from the scene shows at least a dozen ambulances and police vehicles gathered outside the Cherry Valley Avenue store.
A woman who had just pulled into the parking lot to do her shopping says she was walking in the door when people running out told her there had been a shooting.
“Everybody seemed to start running out of the store, panicked and frantic,” Liz Crew-Lee told NBC News 4 of the commotion moments after the gunfire.
