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Uk Thang has been recognized because the suspect within the Kroger mass capturing in Collierville, Tennessee.
Uk Thang was the gunman who fatally shot one individual and injured 14 others at a Kroger grocery retailer in Collierville, Tennessee, on September 23, 2021.
Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane confirmed in a information convention that the gunman shot 15 victims — 10 workers and 5 clients — and that a number of have been in severe situation. Thang, 29, fatally shot himself on the scene; he was discovered within the rear of the shop, police mentioned in a information launch. Police declined to provide his identify in a information convention, however they launched it to the information media afterward, in accordance with the Every day Memphian.
Authorities described the frantic scramble for security that unfolded at Kroger when the gunfire broke out within the deli space of the grocery retailer not removed from Memphis. “We eliminated individuals from freezers, closets, hiding in pallets,” Lane mentioned in a September 24 information convention.
“It breaks my coronary heart to have to face earlier than you in the present day,” Lane mentioned in an earlier information convention, calling the mass capturing “probably the most horrific occasion that’s occurred in Collierville historical past.”
There have been additionally scenes of heroism amidst the tragedy.
Thanks to Ms. Dickerson, 32 yr worker of Kroger for main your co-workers and clients to security.
— State Consultant Antonio Parkinson (@TNRepParkinson) September 23, 2021
Many cited the heroism of long-time Kroger worker Brignetta Dickerson, who helped shepherd others to security.
The chief confirmed that the girl who died was named Olivia King. King was a mom of three recognized for her spiritual devotion and candy character.

FbOlivia King along with her son
In a information convention, he mentioned, “I ask that you simply preserve the household of Olivia King in your prayers. The quantity shot is now as much as 15 however fortunately our prayers have been answered they usually all pulled by in a single day. I’m not giving his identify on this discussion board and giving him that notoriety.”
Right here’s what it is advisable know:
1. Uk Thang, Who First Opened Hearth within the Deli Space Whereas Wearing Black With a Doable Protect Over His Face, Labored at Kroger By means of a Vendor
Contents
- 1 1. Uk Thang, Who First Opened Hearth within the Deli Space Whereas Wearing Black With a Doable Protect Over His Face, Labored at Kroger By means of a Vendor
- 2 2. Thang, the Son of Refugees From Myanmar Described by a Good friend as Somebody ‘Concerned in Church,’ Died From a Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound, Police Say
- 3 3. Video Confirmed Huge Regulation Enforcement Response on the Scene; the Suspect Had a Minor Prison Historical past
- 4 4. Police Discovered Thang’s Automobile within the Parking Lot & Searched His House; a Neighbor Described Him as Somebody Who Saved ‘to Himself’
- 5 5. Individuals Supplied Prayers for Collierville on Social Media
Witnesses informed the Every day Memphian that the capturing “started within the deli space and described the gunman as having darkish hair and darkish eyes. Some reported that he was carrying a military-style rifle.”
The preliminary police dispatch audio, out there on Broadcastify, mentioned that there have been “4 gunshot victims” within the rear of Kroger by the dumpster, one individual was “down close to the deli with a gunshot wound to attainable shoulder,” and “one other get together was down exterior Kroger, with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and again.”
You’ll be able to hearken to the preliminary scanner audio right here. It is available in the previous few minutes of this audio file:
Within the scanner audio, an officer mentioned, “contact each company for mutual support.” An officer mentioned at one other level, “I would like extra ambulances.” The Every day Memphian reported that one Kroger worker climbed on the roof through the capturing to hunt security, however the capturing all occurred inside the shop.
A girl purchasing close to the deli on the time of the capturing described the scene to Information 3: “This individual is available in wearing black with perhaps a protect over his face, I don’t know for positive. And I heard ‘pop, pop, pop.’ And I’m similar to, ‘I can’t consider it. It’s for actual.’ It was fairly speedy succession of not less than 12 photographs.”
On Fb, individuals claimed the suspect was a fired sushi chef, though that element was not confirmed by authorities.
“My sister was working until 2,” a lady wrote on Fb. “The sushi chef had disagreement with one other worker they usually had sushi chef depart or fired him and he got here again. She heard first pop sound thought it was balloons then heard extra. I can’t think about the horror all of them felt.”
Lane did affirm that the suspect labored for a third-party vendor. He wouldn’t affirm whether or not the suspect had been fired from his job.
2. Thang, the Son of Refugees From Myanmar Described by a Good friend as Somebody ‘Concerned in Church,’ Died From a Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound, Police Say

GettyCrime scene tape is seen exterior of a Kroger grocery retailer the place a capturing occurred on September 23, 2021, in Collierville, Tennessee. The Kroger is the place authorities mentioned {that a} gunman had apparently killed himself after opening hearth within the shop killing one individual and injuring not less than 12 others.
In response to the Business Enchantment, a household buddy mentioned Thang’s household was from Myanmar. His dad and mom have been refugees from the nation in Asia previously generally known as Burma. The buddy recognized Thang as Burmese, the newspaper studies. The buddy, Aung Kyawlengle, spoke exterior Thang’s dad or mum’s house in Antioch, Tennessee. The newspaper wrote, “He mentioned the household may be very saddened and upset about what occurred and that the dad and mom didn’t need to communicate with a reporter.”
Uk Thang’s cousin, Pang Cing, informed Every day Beast that he realized the information from Thang’s dad and mom however hadn’t seen him in 10 years.
Bawi Thang knew Thang, though they aren’t associated, and informed Every day Beast Uk Thang was “all the time concerned in church. I all the time appeared as much as him.” These accounts improve the thriller as to what made the gunman snap and turn out to be a mass assassin, in accordance with police.
The shooter is useless from self-inflicted gunshot wound, the police chief says. “The shooter is deceased,” he confirmed. “We consider that’s going to be from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.”
Memphis police confirmed that there was a capturing on the Kroger. “Memphis Police Officers are on the scene of a capturing at Kroger situated at 240 New Byhalia Street in Collierville, TN to assist Collierville PD. MPD is helping with securing the perimeter and scene,” they wrote on Twitter.
“On September 23, 2021, at roughly 1:30 pm, the Collierville Police Division acquired a name relating to an energetic shooter at Kroger situated at 240 New Byhalia Street in Collierville. Info from callers {that a} male particular person was armed with a weapon capturing at others inside the shop,” the mayor wrote in a information launch.
“First officers on the scene encountered a number of consumers and workers, some shot by the suspect. Officers situated roughly 13 people affected by accidents together with gunshots. Emergency medical personnel from the Collierville Hearth Division arrived to help with offering medical support to these in want. All victims have been transported to space hospitals.” (the toll of these injured later rose to fifteen.)
The discharge continued, “Right now, we consider {that a} single suspect is chargeable for the assault. He was within the rear of the shop with what seems to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and is useless. One different sufferer has additionally died.”
“It is a horrible day in Collierville. Our hearts exit to the victims, households, and buddies concerned within the mindless tragedy. Please preserve our neighborhood in your ideas and prayers,” mentioned Chief Dale Lane. “Right now, there are not any recognized threats to the Collierville neighborhood and our division is working diligently to stop additional violence.”
3. Video Confirmed Huge Regulation Enforcement Response on the Scene; the Suspect Had a Minor Prison Historical past
The suspect’s background has been slowly rising.
Uk Thang had some “minor expenses, misdemeanor arrests, however nothing [in his criminal record] for violence,” Lane mentioned. As for motive, he mentioned, “All of us need to know the why,” however he mentioned police weren’t able to launch that data. No legal historical past comes up for Thang in Shelby County.
Video has additionally emerged from the scene.
Jason Lusk, who recorded the above movies, wrote on Fb, “He shot off about 12 photographs as I acquired to my automotive. My cellphone was within the automotive and I managed to video one of many photographs and the police arriving.”
A girl wrote on his remark thread, “My coworkers brother was shot and air lifted. Her sister in legislation was grazed.”
4. Police Discovered Thang’s Automobile within the Parking Lot & Searched His House; a Neighbor Described Him as Somebody Who Saved ‘to Himself’
Police revealed that they’ve searched Thang’s close by residence.
Juanita Ford, a neighbor, informed Every day Beast: “He stays to himself, he by no means speaks or something. I handed him going to my automotive leaving for work and stuff like that, I solely noticed him in passing, he by no means talked to anyone.”
The chief mentioned the suspected shooter’s car was within the car parking zone and police have been ready for extra gear to verify the car.
Brignetta Dickerson, the Kroger worker known as a hero, informed WKRN that she heard gunshots whereas working on the money register.
She ran.
“And, right here he comes proper behind us and began capturing. And, he saved on capturing, capturing, capturing. He shot certainly one of my co-workers within the head and shot certainly one of my clients within the abdomen,” she informed the tv station. Her co-worker, shot within the head, requested for his mom, she mentioned.
Glenda McDonald, who works on the Kroger, informed The Business Enchantment that she heard the gunshots and mentioned, “I simply ran out the door. I left my purse, my keys, every little thing.”
5. Individuals Supplied Prayers for Collierville on Social Media
Individuals in Collierville wrote in regards to the capturing studies on social media. “There’s an energetic shooter on the Kroger throughout the road from my job. I used to be actually simply there getting gasoline,” wrote one man on Twitter.
“There’s and energetic shooter at a Kroger grocery retailer in a neighboring city. Please pray,” a lady wrote on Twitter.
A person wrote, “Native buddies, avoid the Collierville Kroger. Lively shooter state of affairs there. Pray for our neighborhood, please.”
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