UPDATE
The Corona Police Department issued an update on the investigation, saying this was an isolated incident, not an active shooter incident like they initially thought:
The investigation has revealed this was an isolated occurrence within the store and was not an uncontained active shooter incident as the preliminary information had been communicated to initial officers. As the investigation is still on-going, the names of involved persons are not being released at this time.
Investigation has confirmed an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department Officer was shopping at Costco with his family. Without provocation, a male unknown to the officer’s family assaulted the officer while the officer was holding his young child. This attack resulted in the officer firing his weapon, striking the male and two of the male's family members. The family members are being treated at local hospitals and are in critical condition. The off duty officer was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released. The off duty officer’s child was not injured during this incident. The Riverside County Coroners Office has identified the deceased male as 32 year-old Kenneth French from Riverside.
The officer's gun was the only weapon involved in the incident, contrary to earlier reports. As is standard procedure in such investigations, the Corona Police Department is working closely with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office who will be evaluating the facts and circumstances of this incident.
ORIGINAL
One man was killed and three others, including an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer, were injured during a shooting at Costco in Corona, California on Friday night. The Corona Police Department responded to calls of shots fired around 7:45 p.m. PST. When they arrived at the store, four people were found injured.
The suspect was detained and taken to a nearby hospital.
The person who died at the scene is a male but his identity is not being released until the family is identified.
According to eye witnesses, the shooting appeared to take place after two men were arguing near the meat department.
"There was apparently an argument inside, some type of argument that turned into a gunshot," Lt. Jeff Edwards from the Corona Police Department said during a media briefing. "From my understanding, it is not domestic."
Corona police department briefing following shooting within Costco in Corona Friday night pic.twitter.com/EWqrPMpMbM
— Will Lester (@WillLesterPhoto) June 15, 2019
Witnesses recounted their experience on social media and through interviews with local reporters.
"I heard pop, pop, pop, and then look, she almost broke her hand trying to open the emergency doors," one witness told KTLA-TV.
#BREAKING: Witnesses describe the scene inside a #Corona #Costco after reports of a shooting inside the store. @CoronaPD now say the shooting situation has been stabilized. The exact number of injuries and the status of the suspect are unclear. @ComstockNEWS reports. #CBSLA pic.twitter.com/QytfWjwxEP
— CBSLA Assignment Desk (@KCBSKCALDesk) June 15, 2019
A customer took the video below once she heard 7 to 8 gun shots.
Cell phone video from inside the Corona Costco captures the chaos and screaming. The customer who shot this video was picking up steaks for Father’s Day dinner when she heard 7-8 gunshots. @CoronaPD confirm 1 man dead, 3 injured incl the suspected shooter. Unk motive @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/ZiOdE7mC3A
— Hetty Chang (@HettyNBCLA) June 15, 2019
One customer said she tried to escape through the emergency exit doors but they were locked and wouldn't open.
It's not very fun when you're scared and you're running for your life, and you're trying to open a door that says 'emergency' and they don't open," Rochelle Flores told KTLA. "Everybody was freaking out. People were falling over each other."
According to customer Luis Rafael, he was outside Costco when he saw people fleeing the store.
“We thought the shooter was going to come out and shoot everybody," Rafael told the Press Enterprise. He said his sister and her children hid behind a nearby tree.
Just after 9 p.m., CPD took to Twitter to say they secured the scene.
The shooting incident at the Costco in Corona has been stabilized. There is no apparent threat to our community from any outstanding persons. We will release more information as we work to confirm the facts. #coronacostcoshooting
— Corona Police Dept. (@CoronaPD) June 15, 2019
Early Saturday morning, CPD took to Twitter to let customers know they can return to the store to pick up items left behind by showing their ID.
If you left personal items at the store, @CoronaPD is securing the items are returning them to owners with proper ID. pic.twitter.com/mDBzQH9m0e
— Corona Police Dept. (@CoronaPD) June 15, 2019
Congressman Ken Calvert (R), who represents the area, took to Facebook to condemn what happened:
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