2 killed, 1 wounded in North Dakota Walmart shooting

Two people were killed and one wounded in a shooting early on Tuesday at a Walmart store in Grand Forks, North Dakota, that involved a U.S. airman from the Grand Forks Air Force base, authorities said.

The airman’s role was not clear and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was working with Grand Forks police, the Air Force said.

The shooter is believed to be among the dead and there appeared to be no continuing threat to the public, Grand Forks Police Lieutenant Derik Zimmel said.

The third person was hospitalized in satisfactory condition in Grand Forks after the shooting, Altru Health System said in a statement.

The store is open 24 hours a day and police found multiple victims when they responded to a report of gunshots, Zimmel said. The store was closed on Tuesday morning and likely to remain closed for some time, he said.

Zimmel said police hoped to release the relationship the people have to the community and their role in the shooting later on Tuesday along with their names.

One witness who spoke with WDAZ television said he heard “popping sounds” in the store and, when he left the building later, he saw a Walmart employee covered in blood.

“We are deeply saddened about this situation and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” Walmart said in a statement.