White Kroger shooter who killed two Black people told white bystander, “Whites don’t shoot whites.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 24th, George Alan Bush, a 51-year old white man, entered a Kroger grocery store in Louisville, Kentucky and fatally shot two Black people. He reportedly told a white bystander afterwards, “Whites don’t shoot whites.”
According to WAVE 3 News, Bush was arrested on two murder charges and 10 felony endangerment counts. Witness accounts detail Bush repeatedly fired at one Black man inside the store. He then proceeded to go outside and shoot at a Black woman.
Jeffersontown Police Chief Sam Rogers confirmed that both victims died at the scene. Local police received a call at 3 p.m about the incident. Eric Deacon, an EMT bystander, told the Associated Press he was waiting in a checkout lane when he heard the first shot. Deacon says another man with a gun appeared to fire at Bush to force him out the store. As Deacon exited, he saw the female victim and attempted to resuscitate her.
Deacon said, “She was gone. There’s nothing I could do. I think she just got caught in the crossfire.”
Ed Harrell, another witness who was waiting in the parking lot, grabbed his own revolver and hid behind the car. Harrell later told the Louisville Courier Journal that when he asked Bush what was happening, Bush replied, “Don’t shoot me. I won’t shoot you. Whites don’t shoot whites.”
Steve Zinninger, Harrell’s son, retold the same story to WAVE 3 News reporter, Maira Ansari.
For anyone not believing this was said on the news pic.twitter.com/uiDRrmU56J
— Ice ❄️ (@IceCremeDreams) October 24, 2018
While both victims have not been officially identified, many witnesses say they were both Black.
Kroger issued a statement about the fatal shooting. The company wrote, “We are shocked and saddened by the shooting incident that occurred around 2:30 p.m. ET today. Thanks to the quick response of the local police department, the suspect was apprehended and our store is secure. We are cooperating with law enforcement and assisting with their investigation. Our store is closed and will reopen after the investigation concludes. We are referring all other questions to local law enforcement.”
— Kroger (@kroger) October 24, 2018
Bush was indicted on Thursday and will be in court Oct. 26th, Friday morning.