A shooting at a supermarket in West Hempstead, Long Island ended with one fatality and two injuries, according to local authorities.
On Tuesday (April 20), at around 11:15 a.m., cops were called to the Stop & Shop on Cherry Valley Road where a shooting reportedly took place in the manager’s office. The Nassau County Department immediately took to Twitter to announce the news, advising West Hempstead residents to remain indoors as they searched the area for the gunman.
“There has been an active shooter situation at the West Hempstead Stop & Shop. The #NassauCountyPD is canvassing the area & nearby schools have been notified to lock down & secure their buildings,” read a tweet from the police department.
“The subject has not been apprehended yet & we ask that area residents remain indoors.”
Former West Hempstead Stop & Shop employee Gabriel DeWitt Wilson was later named as the person of interest. Police reportedly have 150 assets looking for the suspect but have also asked for the public’s help in locating him.
“The Person of Interest involved is Gabriel DeWitt Wilson, age 30,” Nassau police tweeted of the man who was reportedly armed with a small gun. “He is approx. 6’2” & wearing a black baseball hat and a black sweatshirt, & was last seen heading westbound on Hempstead Turnpike. Please call 911 immediately if you have any information.”
Of the three people shot at the Stop & Shop, two are currently being treated at local hospitals. They were said to be “conscious and alert” and will be talking to law enforcement about the occurrence. The third, who passed away, was reportedly a 49-year-old employee of the supermarket.
The West Hempstead gunfire is sadly one of a few shootings to take place this month. Over the weekend, six people were shot, three fatally, at the Somers House Tavern in Somers, Wisconsin. An additional three people were killed in Austin, Texas days after former FedEx employee Brandon Scott Hole died by suicide after shooting up the Indianapolis facility where he once worked.