DAYTON, OH – A tragic incident unfolded at a Walmart store near Dayton, Ohio, on Monday night when a man opened fire, injuring four people before taking his own life. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the shooter or the victims.
The male suspect entered the store around 8:35 p.m. and shot four individuals before turning the gun on himself, according to a statement from the Beavercreek Police Department. The police confirmed that none of the responding officers fired any shots.
The victims, three women, and a man, were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Three of the victims are in critical condition, while the fourth suffered non-life-threatening injuries, as per the police statement on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place in Beavercreek, a suburb east of Dayton. Police have yet to determine if the shooter had any connection with the victims. This is not the first time the store has witnessed a deadly shooting. Almost a decade ago, a black man holding an air rifle was shot and killed by police at the same location, sparking outrage and calls for reform.
The suspected shooter was identified by Beavercreek police as 20-year-old Benjamin Charles Jones of Dayton. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Zrinka Dilber told reporters the FBI is investigating the shooter’s background and motivation.
A Walmart spokesperson expressed their heartbreak over the incident and confirmed that they are working closely with investigators. All three agencies are engaged in the investigation, including the FBI, ATF, and OBCI.