A Giant Eagle store in North Olmsted, Ohio, will remain closed on Monday following a deadly shooting that took place on Sunday. The incident, which police believe was an apparent murder-suicide, involved a couple who had been divorced for a number of years.
The shooter has been identified as Edward Smith, 60, and the victim as Susan Petterson, 63, an employee of the store. The couple’s divorce in 2004 is believed to be the possible motive for the shooting.
The shooting occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, with around 67 employees and 200 customers present in the store. Police arrived on the scene within less than a minute of calls to 911. They expressed thankfulness that no one else was hurt during the shooting incident. Giant Eagle released a statement expressing their condolences to the family and loved ones of the team member who lost her life while working to serve the North Olmsted community.
The statement goes on to say that the company is shocked and deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in one of their stores. The safety of their team members and guests remains their top priority, and they are committed to providing all available resources to law enforcement to assist in their investigation.
The store will remain closed on Monday to provide on-site support to the impacted Giant Eagle employees, with ongoing support for all team members continuing in the days ahead. According to the statement, the drive-thru pharmacy window will be open on Monday for those that need important medications.
The North Olmsted police department is continuing its investigation into the shooting, and the motive behind the incident has not yet been confirmed. The community has been left in shock and mourning, with many expressing their condolences and support for the family and friends of the victim.