Chesapeake Walmart to reopen after deadly shootings

Walmart Inc. announced Monday that the Chesapeake store where a night manager killed six workers in November 2022 will reopen April 19, following a 9 a.m. ceremony. The store has been remodeled over the past five months, and it will include an outdoor memorial space, according to Walmart.

On Nov. 22, 2022, 31-year-old Andre Bing, an overnight supervisor who worked at the 1521 Sam’s Circle store since 2010, shot and killed six employees, including a 16-year-old boy, before killing himself. There were about 50 shoppers in the store at the time of the attack.

The estate of one victim, Randy Blevins, has sued the Bentonville, Arkansas-based mega-retailer for $45 million in a wrongful death lawsuit, and three surviving employees filed three $50 million lawsuits against the company, claiming that Walmart was negligent in continuing to employ Bing after the three employees reported “bizarre and threatening behavior” by the manager.

The memorial space will include six seating structures in honor of the victims, and the indoor remodel will include more shopping options, displays and interactive features, according to Walmart’s announcement.

“We are deeply touched by the community’s compassion and support as we continue to heal from last year’s tragedy,” Alycia Mixon, manager of the Chesapeake store, said in a statement Monday. “As we move forward with our reopening, we do so in a way that honors the victims and provides continued support to our associates.”