The incident took place around 11 a.m. at the supermarket in the Cherry Valley Mall
There was an active shooting situation at the West Hempstead Stop & Shop. The #NassauCountyPD is recruiting the area and schools in the area have been notified to lock and secure their buildings. The topic has not yet been addressed and we ask that the residents stay indoors
– NCPD (@NassauCountyPD) 20 April 2021
A 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other two victims were transported to a hospital where their circumstances are unknown.
The supermarket was evacuated.
‘I was in the store in the product department and did my business, did my weekly shopping, and I heard what sounded like gunshots, but I never thought something like that would happen in the store, so I assumed it was something that just fell over in the service area, ‘said one buyer.
During a briefing, authorities in Nassau County said a person of interest was identified as 30-year-old Gabriel Dewitt Wilson.
Police used a “small handgun” to shoot a current or former colleague in an office on the top driver.
According to police, Wilson was at one point an employee of Stop & Shop, but is not sure if he is still employed.
Authorities released a description of the suspect as a 6’2 “black man wearing a black baseball cap and black sweatshirt. He was last seen heading west on Hempstead Turnpike.
The person involved is Gabriel DeWitt Wilson, 30 years old. He’s about 6’2 “& wears a black baseball cap and black sweatshirt, and was last seen heading west on Hempstead Turnpike. Please call 911 immediately if you have any information. #NassauCountyPD (2/2) pic.twitter.com/qBcVNSjuF5
– NCPD (@NassauCountyPD) 20 April 2021
Wilson previously had a case with spiritual assistance from the Nassau County Police Department. In 2006, he was arrested for assault in Baltimore County.
“We do not know the reason for the shooting,” said Patrick Ryder, commissioner of Nassau police. “He did shoot one of the employees and kill him.”
Ryder added that there were several hundred groceries in the store at the time.
The West Hempstead School District has excluded schools in the area while police search for the suspect.
“We are currently in an exclusion and we will notify you when it is over,” the school district said. “Please do not come to the buildings. Everyone is safe. Thank you.”
If anyone has any information regarding this incident or the person of interest, contact Nassau County Police Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244- TIPS or call the Fifth Group at 516-573-6552. Call 911 immediately if anyone sees the person of interest. All callers will remain anonymous.
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