Man arrested after 2 people are shot and killed at Jeffersontown Kroger

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two people are dead after a shooting at the Kroger in Jeffersontown on Wednesday afternoon. 

Jeffersontown Police Chief Sam Rogers said his department received a report of the shooting just before 3 p.m., for the store at 9080 Taylorsville Road near the intersection with Hurstbourne Parkway.

Rogers said a man walked into the Kroger and fired multiple shots at another man in the store. That man died at the scene.  

According to Rogers, the suspect then left the store and shot and killed a woman in the parking lot before an armed citizen pulled out a weapon and exchanged fire with him. Neither the suspect or the citizen were injured in that exchange. 

The suspect fled to his car and reached Hurstbourne Parkway, but was taken in to custody nearby shortly thereafter. 

Multiple agencies are involved with the ongoing investigation,  Louisville Metro Police, the FBI and the ATF. 

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released a statement Wednesday night:

“I am heartbroken by this shameful and horrifying incident, and I am angry about the tragedy that results from people with guns who have no respect for human life. Over the coming days, we will learn more about what happened today. For now, I grieve with the families of the victims. I ask everyone in our community to keep them in your prayers and commit to taking action against senseless gun violence.”

Several witnesses spoke afterward of their disbelief as the shootings unfolded.

“I was in the vitamin aisle, and … who we believe to be the shooter, walked right by me.” said Andrew Butler, who said she witnessed the shooting. “And just 3-5 seconds later, you heard a series of gunshots from that aisle.”

WDRB’s Valerie Chinn reported seeing the body of at least one victim in the parking lot at the scene. An EMT told her that he was shopping when he saw two people shooting at each other. An elderly woman was caught in the crossfire. He said he tried to perform CPR, but the woman died. 

“I know there were shots fired out here in the parking lot,” Butler added. “You can see the vehicle’s windows over there that are shot out … There’s a body right over there in the parking lot.”

A Kroger spokesperson released a statement later in the afternoon, confirming that a suspect is in custody:

We are shocked and saddened by the shooting incident that occurred around 2:30 pm today.

Thanks to the quick response of the local police department, the suspect was apprehended and our store is secure.

We are cooperating with law enforcement and badisting with their investigation.

Our store is closed and will reopen after the investigation concludes.

We are referring all other questions to law enforcement.

Kroger will be closed until 7 a.m. Friday.

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