On the evening of September 25, 2021, a tragic shooting occurred at a Fred Meyer store in the Hazel Dell neighborhood of Vancouver, Washington. The incident left two people dead and two others injured, sending shockwaves throughout the community and the nation.
The shooting took place around 6:15 p.m. when a man entered the store and opened fire, according to witnesses. Customers and employees quickly fled or hid, and police responded within minutes, engaging in a shootout with the suspect. The suspect was eventually taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The two people killed in the shooting were identified as 47-year-old Carlos Ruiz and 77-year-old Anne Marie Gunderson. The two injured victims, who were also customers at the store, were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and are expected to recover.
The incident has left many in the Vancouver community reeling, as Fred Meyer stores are a common sight throughout the area. The store where the shooting occurred has been closed since the incident, and the company has released a statement expressing its condolences and support for the victims and their families.
As with any tragedy of this nature, the incident has sparked discussions about gun violence and the need for increased safety measures in public spaces. In the wake of the shooting, many have called for stricter gun control laws and better mental health resources to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The shooting at the Fred Meyer store in Hazel Dell serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on individuals and communities. As the investigation into the incident continues, it is important for all of us to come together and support those affected by this tragedy.