By Sarah Volpenhein
Grand Forks Herald
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Two people are dead after a shooting at the Walmart in south Grand Forks early this morning.
The Grand Forks Air Force Base said a local airman was involved in the shooting , but officials didn’t say how he was involved.
Police responded at 1:04 a.m. to the Walmart Supercenter, 2551 32nd Ave. S., to a report of gunshots and found multiple victims inside the store.
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Two people died of gunshot wounds and one was transported to Altru Hospital with gunshot wounds, though police did not know how extensive those injuries were, according to Grand Forks Police Lt. Derik Zimmel. Altru Health System confirmed in a news release that the hospital did admit one person as a result of the shooting. That person was in "satisfactory condition," according to the release which was issued at about 9:15 a.m.
Police are not releasing any names pending family notification.
Zimmel said there is no ongoing public safety risk, but investigators remain at the store, and Walmart remains closed.
In a press conference at the Grand Forks Police Department , Zimmel said there was no active shooting when officers arrived on scene.
Zimmel said at this time, police believe the shooter is among the dead. Only one person involved in the incident is believed to have had a gun, Zimmel said.
Police are still investigating the motive behind the shooting, whether it was targeted or random, Zimmel said, but police do not believe it to be gang-related.
Zimmel did not know approximately how many shots had been fired, but said the 911 caller reported multiple shots.
He did not know what weapon had been used in the shooting.
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No one has been arrested, Zimmel said.
Andy Legg, who was in the store at the time , told a WDAZ reporter he heard "popping sounds" going off in the store and that he and a group of customers were herded to a section of the store by authorities. Legg said he and the group later exited the building passing a Walmart employee covered in blood. Legg says he's not sure of the person's condition but that it "didn't look good."
Shortly after 4 a.m., a police SWAT team, using a special robot, began searching a car in the parking lot.
According to the Air Force, its Office of Special Investigations is working with downtown law enforcement on the investigation.
For all questions please contact the Grand Forks Police Department at 701-787-8184.
Check back for developments to this story.
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By Sarah Volpenhein
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