Alleged Kroger gunman uttered, 'whites don't kill whites,' witness says
Police have not yet determined a motive for the fatal shootings of a black man and woman at a Kentucky grocery store.
A man who was at the scene of a shooting at a Kentucky Kroger store said that moments after the alleged gunman killed two black victims, he told the white bystander that “whites don’t kill whites.”
The witness' comments, first reported by NBC affiliate WAVE3 in Louisville, was confirmed by the man’s wife, Elaine Harrell. She said her husband, identified as Ed Harrell by the Courier-Journal, has spoken to the FBI about his interaction with the suspect.
The WAVE3 report said Ed Harrell was armed when he came into contact with the alleged shooter, Gregory Bush, 51, in the store’s parking lot. That was when Bush, who also is white, allegedly uttered the phrase to him.
Bush allegedly entered the Jeffersontown store around 2 p.m. Wednesday and shot his first victim, later identified as Maurice Stallard, 69, multiple times, including when Stallard was down on the floor, according to the police report. After leaving the store, the alleged gunman shot the second victim, later identified as Vicki Lee Jones, 67, in the parking lot.
The police report says an unidentified armed civilian challenged the shooter and that Bush allegedly began firing at Jones in the parking lot.
A motive for the shooting remained under investigation Thursday, police said. But new details about the alleged gunman's whereabouts before the shooting emerged.
“We received a tip that the suspect was seen outside of a local church,” Jeffersontown Police Chief Sam Rogers said Thursday at a news conference.
Rogers said Bush attempted to enter the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, a predominantly black church, 10 to 15 minutes before the shooting but was “unsuccessful.” He said he could not confirm whether the gunman was armed when he attempted to go inside.
Bush’s Facebook page indicates he has a history of posting racially charged opinions.
“They cast a black Human Torch, why not a white Static-Shock? You know why,” Bush said in a 2015 post linking to an article about actor Jaden Smith being confirmed to play the superhero.
Bush also acknowledges on the same Facebook account that he has schizophrenia.
“I have worked most of my life and battled mental illness throughout my life,” Bush wrote. “My paranoid-schizophrenia finally stopped me from working and now am on mental disability. I'm lucky I made it this far with all the trouble I've caused myself when I get off my medicine.”
Rogers has since said there is “some mental illness history with the suspect in question.” Investigators have not yet determined whether Bush was allowed to own a gun or how he obtained it, the police chief said.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Kroger and the city’s mayor have since expressed sorrow for those affected by the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the Vicki Jones and Maurice Stallard whose lives were cut short in this senseless act – and especially want to remember the grandson who was with his grandfather at the time of the shooting,” said Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf in a statement. “We also seek a sense of peace for the store employees and residents of our community who were witnesses to the terrible tragedy.”
Kroger officials said in a statement that they are “shocked” and “saddened” by the incident. Kroger closed the store after the shooting and will reopen it after the investigation is complete.
Both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the investigation. Authorities have seized Bush's computers and phones, Rogers said.
Bush appeared in court Thursday for arraignment and his bond was set at $5 million, according to court records. He is charged with two counts of murder and 10 counts of wanton endangerment.
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It will be said that the shooter is "troubled and needs help" instead of calling him what he really is and that is a domestic terrorist
Yep, It's got its own meme.
Suspect In Fatal Kroger Shooting First Tried To Get Inside Black Church: Police
JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. (AP) — A white man with a history of violence and mental illness was recorded on surveillance video apparently trying to get inside a predominantly black church in Kentucky before he went to a grocery store and fatally shot two African-Americans, police said.
Thanks for that update, Lady
So the bastard is following in Dylan Roof's footsteps?
looks like
Bush’s Facebook page indicates he has a history of posting racially charged opinions
FB didn't suspend "HIS" account ?
He had a History ya know !
stay on topic or get off my seed
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I would be happy if you left this seed entirely. I'm trying to ignore you
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Omigawd. It's easy. I do it all day every day.
"Rogers has since said there is “some mental illness history with the suspect in question.”
Any delusions of racial superiority are a sign of serious mental illness. White supremacists are by definition mentally disabled.
But that doesn't mean they should just get a slap on the wrist and sent to be with no dinner. I'm fairly certain Kentucky has a death penalty. This man should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law
No, it just means that all Trump supporters should be watched very closely before they hurt someone else.
Sorry....I went off topic on my own damn seed.....
I need lunch
Oops, and I just contributed below.
I really am sorry.
I'm too stupid to live!!!!!!!!!!!
There are plenty of us around.
Here. Have a Snickers. You're never yourself when you're hungry.
Can I have a Butterfinger instead? I don't like Snickers
That depends on what she's having for lunch.
Ahh c'mon, it's obvious someone vandalized the van just to confuse matters...
Since it's funny, I'm leaving it here
That was pretty fuckin' funny, dave! Actually, Cesar Sayoc was quoted as saying: "But I meant to put these decals on my car..."
Sadly I read where his grandson was with him when he was shot...12 years old if I remember correctly.
Two innocent people dead because of their skin color...WTF is this country becoming, it seems we didn't learn a god damn thing from our past history.
Darn it. This to easy. The shooter allegedly said that "white people don't shoot white people." ? ? Well---He must be another one of those Trumpenkrieger sort---his statement is obviously a lie. No explanation is required I assume.
Oh dear. Florida's full of them, aren't they? Love the last line. Giggles, do you know where your cat is?
Cats don't know how to erase their search history.
I think it's time for some remedial training, then
Hopefully he's on the bed and not near my damn computer!