Chesapeake, Virginia: The alleged perpetrator was a Walmart employee

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Police operation after deadly attack in Chesapeake

Photo: Shawn Thew/EPA

The man who allegedly shot and killed six people at a Walmart in Virginia was an employee of the supermarket, according to investigators.

Chesapeake Police Chief Mark Solesky confirmed media reports at a press conference.

The attacker took his own life with a gun after the act of violence.

There were also four injured people who are currently in the hospital.

According to information from the US broadcaster CNN, the perpetrator fired at his victims in a break room.

The police have not given any further details and referred to the ongoing investigation.

The background of the fact is still unclear.

Two days before Thanksgiving, when many people were shopping for the holiday that is so important in the United States, the perpetrator opened fire in a Walmart in the east coast city of Chesapeake.

Retailer Walmart said it was "shocked by this tragic incident."

The group prays for those affected and works closely with the authorities.

State Senator Louise Lucas wrote on Twitter that she was "absolutely heartbroken".

She will "not rest until we find solutions to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country," added the Democratic Party politician.

The US has long struggled with massive levels of gun violence.

Five people were killed and 18 others injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in the US state of Colorado over the weekend.

bbr/dpa/AFP