People who witnessed the grocery store shooting in an upscale Tennessee suburb on Thursday afternoon recalled the act of violence. A gunman killed one person and wounded 13 before he was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at the store, authorities said.

The local Police Chief Dale Lane said the shooting broke out at a Kroger grocery in Collierville, 30 miles east of Memphis. he said that 12 of the victims were taken to hospitals

Also Read: Shooting survivors give first hand accounts to Supreme court

“And, here he comes right behind us and started shooting,” Kroger worker Brignetta Dickerson told WREG-TV. She was working a cash register when she heard what at first she thought were balloons popping.

“And, he kept on shooting, shooting, shooting. He shot one of my co-workers in the head and shot one of my customers in the stomach.”

A Jason Lusk said  that he was leaving a tool store beside Kroger when he saw people running out of the store screaming there was a shooter. When he didn’t see anybody , Lusk said he began walking toward his car.

Also Read: Texas starts allowing untrained residents to carry guns without permits

“That’s when I heard about 10 to 15 shots fired. Sounded like they were directly over my head. Very close proximity. Sounded to me to be a high-powered semi-automatic rifle,” he told CNN. 

Police Chief Lane said that the department received a call about 1:30 PM about the shooting. 

“I left her a voicemail that he was alert and talking,” Dickerson said she was trying to notify her mother. 

Another employee, Glenda McDonald, described the chaotic scene to WHBQ-TV.

“I was walking back towards the floral department and I heard a gunshot,” she said. “It sounded like it was coming from the deli. And I ran out the front door and they had already shot the front door.”

Collierville is a growing suburb of more than 51,000 people with a median household income of about $114,000, according to U.S. census figures. Set in a rural and historic area, the town square has largely become known for its boutiques and bed and breakfasts.

Also Read: New Mexico school year off to deadly start amid gun violence

Earlier this year, Tennessee became the latest state to allow most adults 21 and older to carry handguns without first clearing a state-level background check and training. The measure was signed into law by Republican Gov. Bill Lee over objections from some law enforcement groups and gun control advocates concerned the measure would possibly lead to more gun violence.

The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, issued a statement that it was “deeply saddened” by the shooting and was cooperating with law enforcement. The company in 2019 asked its customers not to openly carry guns while visiting its stores.

A Kroger spokesperson said the Collierville store will be closed until further notice.

Lights were still on in the store after nightfall, chrysanthemums set out front. The parking lot, entirely roped off with police tape, was still full of cars, with a heavy police presence. Neighboring businesses, including a fast food restaurant and an auto parts store, were closed.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents the workers at the Kroger supermarket said, “We are heartbroken that another act of senseless violence has occurred at a grocery store.” 

Also read: Chris Cuomo, brother of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, accused of sexual harassment

“There are no words that can express the impact these horrific acts of violence have on workers, our union members, and our customers,” union president Marc Perrone, said in a written statement.

With inputs from the Associated Press.