ASHBURN, Va. — Virginians are shaken up by gun violence once again after the manager of a Walmart killed six people and himself in a Tuesday night massacre in Chesapeake, Virginia.
The tragedy has prompted the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office to increase its presence in shopping centers across the county.
In a tweet, authorities called it a "proactive measure during the busy shopping season" but assured the public that there is no known threat to the community.
"Unfortunately it's just the way the world is right now but I would definitely support that," said Dan Matzker outside the Walmart in Ashburn, Virginia.
Customers told WUSA9 that they support the increased patrolling because it gives them a sense of safety seeing police officers at shopping centers.
"Just hold on to the lord, and know that it is a mean world out there and trust the law enforcement out there to protect you," said another shopper.
One man who asked not to use his name told WUSA9 that increasing police presence may reduce the time that it takes officers to arrive at a scene, but he questioned the effectiveness of stopping shootings like the one that took place in Chesapeake.
Andre Bing, 31, was armed with one handgun and multiple magazines, according to a statement from the city of Chesapeake.
The deadly rampage took place in the breakroom of the Walmart Supercenter around 10:12 p.m., according to witnesses.
For Virginians, the shooting comes on the heels of three University of Virginia football players who were killed on a bus on school grounds.
Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., 22, allegedly opened fire on his schoolmates on a bus after they had just returned to campus from a field trip to see a play in Washington DC.
Those victims were identified as Devin Chandler, D'Sean Perry, and Lavel Davis. Two other students were also injured but have since been discharged from the hospital and are recovering, according to the UVA athletic director.
When army veteran Rich Fierro realized a gunman was spraying bullets inside the club where he had gathered with friends and family, instincts from his military training kicked in.