A shooting inside a grocery store in Richland, Washington, has left one person dead and another in critical condition.
The names of the victims and the suspect have not yet been released. Richland Police plans to provide another update at 4:30 p.m. local time, or 7:30 p.m. ET.
The statement was posted to the department's Facebook page, and reads as follows:
The safety of our citizens remains of utmost concern.
The Richland Police Department is actively looking for the suspect. The suspect left the store and it is undetermined if he left on foot or in a vehicle.
One person has died and another is in the hospital with injuries. The suspect has been described as a middle aged white male. Photos have been distributed. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
We ask our community or anyone with information to contact Non Emergency dispatch at 509-628-0333. If you see the suspect or feel you are in danger, please call 911.
At approximately 11:03 dispatch received a call regarding an incident at the Richland Fred Meyer. Initial reports were of yelling and possible gun shots within the store. Officers were dispatched and the first officers arrived on scene at 11:04 a.m.
Again, the suspect is still at large. Please avoid the area.
Police in Richland, Washington, say they will give a statement following today's deadly shooting at a Fred Meyer grocery store. The press conference is set to begin at 2:15 p.m. local time, or 5:15 p.m. ET.
A search for the shooter is still underway.
Richland Police Commander Chris Lee told CNN officials believe the suspect in the Fred Meyer shooting Monday used a handgun.
One person was killed and another was injured and transported to a local hospital after the suspect opened fire shortly after 11 a.m. local time. The condition of the person hurt is unknown at this time, Lee said.
Police and the FBI are among law enforcement officials searching for the suspect who fled the scene.
FBI Seattle spokesperson Steve Bernd told CNN they are assisting Richland, Washington, police in identifying and searching for the person responsible for the Fred Meyer grocery shooting.
Bernd said that they are looking for only one suspect at this time.
A spokesperson for Fred Meyer shared condolences and grief following Monday's fatal shooting in Richland, Washington.
“We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our Fred Meyer store located on 101 Wellsian Way in Richland, WA,” according to a statement provided to CNN by the spokesperson.
“The entire Fred Meyer family offers our thoughts, prayers, and support to all affected individuals and families during this difficult time," the statement continued.
According to Richland police, at least one person was killed, and one injured person was sent to the hospital following the shooting, which began inside Fred Meyer shortly after 11 a.m. local time. Fred Meyer is owned by Kroger.
"We are cooperating with local law enforcement, who have secured the store and parking lot. The store will remain closed while the police investigation continues, and we have initiated counseling services for our associates," the Fred Meyer spokesperson shared in the statement, adding "to protect the integrity of the investigation, we are referring questions to the Richland Police Department.”
The shooting suspect is still at large and a search is underway.
At least one person is dead and another is injured in the active shooting incident at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Richland, Washington.
The Benton County Coroner’s office has not been dispatched to the scene, Morris said.
At least one injured person has been sent to the hospital, Richland Police added.
Richland Police commander Chris Lee says his agency received a call from the store describing a white man shooting and yelling inside the location.
The call came in at 11:04 a.m. local time, and Lee added that units are clearing the scene while a search for the suspect is underway.
Police say they are not certain whether the suspect fled on foot or in a vehicle.
Local law enforcement are asking the public for helping in identifying a "suspect" who is connected to an active shooter situation at a Richland, Washington, Fred Meyer store.
"The Richland Police Department is seeking information on the identity and location of the pictured suspect and suspect vehicle in relation to a shooting at the Richland Fred Meyer," the Kennewick Police Department said in a tweet. "The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous."
The Richland Police Department posted an additional photo of the individual on their Facebook, asking anyone with information to call (509) 628-0333.
Several schools in the Richland, Washington, area are in non-critical lockdown due to “police activity at the Fred Meyer on Wellsian Way.”
Richland Police posted on Facebook that they are asking the public to avoid the area writing, ”This is still an active scene. Please continue to avoid the area. The suspect has not yet been located.”
FBI Seattle Field office spokesperson Steve Bernd told CNN, “We are on scene, providing assistance to our partners. We don’t have further details at this time.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives confirmed to CNN that it received a call for assistance for an active shooter situation at a Fred Meyer grocery store in Richland, Washington.
ATF Seattle field office spokesperson Jason Chudy also confirmed to CNN that special agents from their Yakima, Washington, field office were en route to support the Richland Police Department with the active shooter investigation.