VA Walmart Shooter Investigated In 2020, 2 Lawsuits Filed: Report

CHESAPEAKE, VA — Complaints about an employee who fatally shot six people at a Chesapeake Walmart before turning the gun on himself were investigated by the company nearly two years before he opened fire in the store's break room, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

On Nov. 22, 31-year-old Andre Bing gunned down several Walmart employees and injured six others before killing himself. Bing was an overnight team leader who had been a Walmart employee since 2010.

Since the shooting, two Walmart employees have filed lawsuits against the company, claiming it was negligent in hiring and continuing to employ Bing. Both suits describe accounts of Bing's "pattern of disturbing behavior" leading up to the shooting.

According to the Wall Street Journal report, Walmart managers interviewed store employees about Bing following several complaints. Employees told managers Bing was unkind and engaged in threatening behavior.

It's unclear what steps Walmart took following the interviews. Walmart declined to comment when contacted by The Wall Street Journal.

In one lawsuit, Donya Prioleau is suing Walmart for $50 million in compensatory damages after claiming the company continued to employ Bing despite his behavior.

According to the lawsuit, Bing was disciplined numerous times for his "improper and disturbing interactions with others." The lawsuit claims he was demoted due to his actions but later reinstated as a team lead.

According to the lawsuit, Prioleau submitted a formal complaint to the company in September, claiming Bing had "bizarrely and inappropriately" commented on Prioleau's age. Prioleau also complained to Walmart that Bing had harassed her for "being poor and being short."

The lawsuit also claims Bing asked Prioleau if she liked guns and that he reportedly told other employees that if he were ever fired, he would retaliate and "people will remember my name."

James Kelly, an overnight employee at the Chesapeake Walmart, also filed a $50 million suit against the company, according to Virginia Public Media.

Kelly’s lawsuit claims the shooter’s "violent outburst [was] predictable" and Walmart could have taken steps to prevent the shooting.

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