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TWO people have been killed and a third seriously injured after a gunman walked up to a Virginia grocery store and opened fire in the parking lot, police said.
The crazed shooter whipped out a gun in the middle of the day and struck two before being killed by a brave bystander.
The gunman started firing outside the Harris Teeter in Crozet, which is about an hour and a half northwest of Richmond, at about 1:35 pm on Monday.
A good Samaritan who was walking out of the store noticed the terrifying scene and bravely drew his own weapon to stop the attack before cops arrived, NBC affiliate WVIR reported.
By the time the Albemarle County police officers got to the scene, the shooter and one of the victims had died.
The second victim, who is a woman, was critically injured and is still fighting for her life in a nearby hospital.
Several weapons, including a rifle, were discovered in the parking lot.
Albemarle County Police Chief Sean Reeves said they’re investigating the shooting as an “isolated incident” and are looking into the gunman’s relationship with the victim.
“There is no larger risk or greater risk to the public that we can identify,” he said.
“We are asking the community to please steer clear of this area while the investigation is ongoing.”
Virginia State Police have joined the investigation.
Heartbroken locals were seen holding their heads in their hands and praying at the crime scene where the tragedy unfolded.
After gunfire rang out, several nearby schools locked their doors, and students sheltered in place, The Daily Progress reported.
Cops are contacting next of kin before they release the identities of the shooter and the victim.
Albemarle County Police Department’s full statement on the shooting
“At this point in the investigation, officers believe that the suspect began shooting in the parking lot, striking two others. A good Samaritan who was exiting Harris Teeter engaged the suspected shooter with their personal weapon. The suspected shooter was pronounced deceased at the scene. The good Samaritan was uninjured in the shooting. The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, one of which is a rifle. ACPD is still investigating the relation between the gunshot victims.
The investigation is ongoing at this time. Virginia State Police is assisting in the investigation.”