Port Orange shooting: 2 Walgreens employees shot, gunman found dead outside store, police say
2 Walgreens employees shot, gunman found dead
Police say a man walked into a Port Orange Walgreens near Taylor Rd. and Williamson Blvd. and shot two employees.Officials confirmed that a man, identified as the suspected gunman, was found dead from a self-inflicted wound in the parking lot.
PORT ORANGE, Fla. - A large police presence surrounded a Walgreens in Port Orange on Wednesday evening as officers investigated a deadly shooting near the intersection of Taylor Road and Williamson Boulevard.
Gunman dead, at least 2 injured
What we know:
According to officials, officers responded to a Walgreens where they found one man dead in the parking lot and two Walgreens employees injured from gunfire inside the store. The deceased was later identified as the suspected gunman.
Port Orange Police provide update on shooting at Walgreens
A man, which police identified as the shooter, was found dead in parking lot when officers arrived at the scene. Two Walgreens employees were also injured by gunfire and transported by ambulance to a hospital, authorities said.
Police believed the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Walgreens employees were transported by ambulance to a hospital, authorities said.
Port Orange police officers respond to shooting
A shooting has occurred in Port Orange at a Walgreens near Taylor Rd. and Williamson Blvd., authorities say.
The scene, located in a shopping plaza that includes the Walgreens and a Waffle House, drew a crowd of onlookers.
Investigators on scene determined that there was one customer inside the store during the shootings, but that person was not harmed.
Several officers remained at the scene alongside a medical examiner’s vehicle, and yellow police tape cordoned off the area just before 7 p.m. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene.
FOX 35 reporter Stephanie Buffamonte said bystanders appeared shaken by the incident.
What we don't know:
The motive behind the shooting, and the identities of those involved, have not yet been released. Police have not said whether this was a random or targeted shooting.
What they're saying:
A man, whom police identified as the shooter, was found dead in the Walgreens parking lot when officers arrived at the scene. Two Walgreens employees were also injured by gunfire and transported by ambulance to a hospital, authorities said.
"By the grace of God, we had a lot of officers in the area, and they were able to respond quickly," said Port Orange Police spokesperson Mike Wallace during an evening news conference.
Walgreens released a statement late Wednesday which read, "Our hearts are with our two Walgreens team members who were victims of a senseless act of violence. We are fully cooperating with local authorities in their investigation and remain committed to supporting our team through counseling and other available services. The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our highest priority."
What's next:
At this time, the identities of the employees and the suspect are being withheld, pending notification of next of kin. This incident remains under active investigation. Law enforcement officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Port Orange Police Department.