At least seven dead, including the suspect, in a shooting at a Virginia Walmart

By Phil Helsel and Lindsey Pipia -

At least seven people, including the suspect, were killed in a mass shooting Tuesday night at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, according to authorities.

"Chesapeake Police confirm seven fatalities, including shooter, following shooting last night at Walmart on Sam's Circle," the city said in a tweet early Wednesday.

The shooting at the Walmart Supercenter was reported to police shortly after 10 p.m., Chesapeake Police Department officer Leo Kosinski told reporters at a briefing after the incident.

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Police believe the shooting occurred inside the Walmart and one person was found dead outside the store.

Sentara Norfolk General Hospital was treating five victims, a spokesman for the health system said, but their conditions were not released.

Kosinski told reporters that he did not know how the shooter died.

He said that he did not believe that the assailant had been shot by the police.

It was not clear if any of the victims or the attacker were employees.

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The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Washington announced that it was responding to the shooting.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., tweeted: “Sickened by reports of another mass shooting, this time at a Walmart in Chesapeake.

I will follow developments closely."

The city has established a reunification site at the Chesapeake Conference Center for immediate family members or emergency contacts.

"It's sad.

We're a couple of days away from the Thanksgiving holiday,” Kosinski said, adding: “This is a bad time for everyone involved, especially the victims.

This is horrible, ”he lamented.

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Kosinski said he hoped police would be able to release the death toll by Wednesday.

Walmart said its thoughts were with all those affected, and that it was fully cooperating with law enforcement and supporting its employees.

“We are shocked by this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

“We are praying for those affected, the community and our partners,” he added.