Gunman in Tennessee Kroger shooting lost job earlier in the day, police say

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — The man who opened fire Thursday at a Kroger grocery store in Tennessee, killing one person and injuring 14 others before he killed himself, had been asked to leave his job earlier in the day, according to police.

>> Read more trending news

Police said Uk Thang, 29, moved to Collierville, a suburb about 30 miles outside Memphis, in the summer of 2020.

“He was a third-party vendor working inside Kroger and was asked to leave his job the morning of Thursday, September 23, 2021,” authorities said Monday in a statement. “The police department is processing evidence to include electronic evidence, as well as the crime scene vehicles, and interviewing other potential witnesses.”

>> Related: Police identify Kroger shooter

Aung Kyaw, a friend of Thang’s family, told The Associated Press that he worked in the sushi business inside the store. In a statement obtained by WHBQ-TV, JFE Franchising, the company that manages Snowfox Sushi kiosks, said the incident appeared to involve “the owner of an independent franchise within a Kroger store.”

“We offer our thoughts, prayers and support to everyone impacted by this tragic incident, and we are fully prepared to fully support the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.

>> On Fox13Memphis: Everything we know about the Kroger mass shooting

Officials told WHBQ that Thang shot 10 Kroger employees and five customers before he turned the gun on himself.

Four victims remained hospitalized Monday in stable condition, according to police.

Authorities continue to investigate.

©2021 Cox Media Group