The incident happened at around 11 a.m. at the grocery store in the Cherry Valley mall
There has been an active shooter situation at the West Hempstead Stop & Shop. The #NassauCountyPD is investigating the area and nearby schools have been notified to lock and secure their buildings. The subject has not yet been tackled and we ask that local residents stay indoors
– NCPD (@NassauCountyPD) April 20, 2021
The circumstances of the injured are unknown.
During a briefing, Nassau County authorities say an interesting person has been identified as 30-year-old Gabriel Dewitt Wilson.
A “small gun” was used to shoot a current or former colleague in an upstairs office, police said.
Wilson was once a Stop & Shop employee, police say, but isn’t sure he’s still employed.
Authorities released a description of the suspect as a 6’2 “black man, wearing a black baseball hat and black sweatshirt. He was last seen west on Hempstead Turnpike.
The supermarket was evacuated.
“We don’t know the reason for the shooting,” said Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “He shot one of the employees and killed him.”
Ryder added that there were several hundred customers in the store at the time.
The West Hempstead School District has locked out schools in the area while police are looking for the suspect.
“We’re currently in a lockout and we’ll let you know when it’s over,” the school district said. Please don’t come to the buildings. Everyone is safe. Thanks.’
READ ALSOMan fatally struck, dragged near Central Park on the Upper West Side
More Long Island news
Send us a news tip
Download the abc7NY app for important news alerts
Follow us on YouTube
Copyright © 2021 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.