Witnesses react to Kroger shooting: ‘He walked in and was about to pull up the gun and start shooting’

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Witnesses to a mass shooting at Kroger in Collierville describe a chaotic and terrifying scene.

At least 13 people were shot, including one victim who died, and the shooter is dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Police Chief Dale Lane.

Kroger cashier Vrignetta Dickerson says she heard gunshots and tried to get a group of customers to safety.

“All I heard was gunshots...it was like balloons,” Dickerson said.

She says when she realized it was gunshots she got the customers to follow her to the back of the store.

“I kept on hearing gunshots and in the back of my head I kept saying ‘let’s go, let’s leave, let’s leave now, now, go, go, go,” Dickerson said.

She said she lead the group to the back of the store to where the incinerator is and they heard the shooter come into the room. She says they shot one of her coworkers in the head and a customer in the stomach.

“I just saw the top part of the guys eyes,” Dickerson said. “What I saw... when he walked in he was about to pull up the gun and start shooting.”

Faith Lutheran Church’s Pastor Clayton Sellers arrived on the scene to help spread hope to anyone affected by the situation.

“I minister for the people of Collierville and I wanted to be here for them, for the police officers, for the first responders, for the people in general,” Sellers said.

Latoya Rosser says that her mother-in-law works at Kroger in the deli and that she was on the way to get groceries when she heard about the shooting.

“It’s crazy to be honest. Because you would never think nothing like this right here would happen in Collierville,” Rosser said.

Rosser says her mother is okay and was not injured in the shooting. She says her mother probably didn’t see anything because when she heard the gunshots she most likely got down.

“She really can barely talk right now because she’s so nervous and shook up, but she’s okay though,” Rosser said.

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