“Chesapeake Police confirm 7 fatalities, including the shooter, from last night's shooting at Walmart on Sam's Circle,” city officials said on Twitter early Wednesday.

Chesapeake Police public information officer Leo Kosinski said that the officers responded to the store less than an hour before closing around 10:12 p.m. and found the victims and evidence of a shooting.

Chesapeake mayor Rick West released a statement on Twitter, saying he was devastated by the “senseless act of violence that took place in the city.

“I am devastated by the senseless act of violence that took place late last night in our City. My prayers are with all those affected - the victims, their family, their friends, and their coworkers. I am grateful for the quick actions taken by our first responders who rushed to the scene,” he said.

According to the initial reports, the shooter was an employee or former employee of the store who opened fire on other employees in a break room. (ILKHA)