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By Zoe Strozewski
Staff Writer
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Local authorities have released a "death note" from the alleged gunman in the deadly Walmart shooting in Chesapeake, Virginia, providing more insight into the suspect's potential motives and state of mind prior to the tragedy.
Six people were killed and others were injured during the shooting on Tuesday, which Chesapeake Mayor Rick West later described as "senseless violence" that "devastated" the town. Authorities have said that the suspected shooter died, as well, from what they believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Andre Bing, 31, who worked at the store as a manager, was identified as the alleged gunman.
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The city of Chesapeake tweeted a screenshot on Friday of a note that it said detectives found when conducting a forensic analysis of the suspect's phone that had been recovered at the scene of the shooting.
In the message titled "Death note," the shooting suspect wrote, "Sorry God I have failed you," and then alleges that he was "harassed by idiots with low intelligence and a lack of wisdom."
He appeared to address several coworkers by name in the note, though all direct mentions were redacted.
The suspect wrote that his "dignity was completely taken away beyond repair by my phone being hacked," though he did not explain how his phone was purportedly hacked or by whom. He also said that his coworkers compared him to Jeffrey Dahmer, who sexually assaulted, killed and dismembered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
Despite this, the suspect wrote that his "true intent was never to murder anyone" and wished that "I could have saved everyone from myself." At the end of the note, he asked God to forgive him for "what I'm going to do."
"There is nothing that can justify taking innocent lives. Our focus continues to be on the families who are grieving and supporting our associates through this difficult time," Walmart told Newsweek in a statement after the note was released.
The city of Chesapeake released further details about the shooting in a Twitter thread on Friday. The city said police confirmed that the suspect used a 9mm handgun that was legally purchased from a local store on the morning of the shooting. The suspect had no criminal history, the city said.
"There were several inquiries about anything recovered from the search warrant at the suspect's house," the city added. "A box of ammunition was found and various items in reference to the 9mm handgun (box, receipt, other paperwork)."
The Chesapeake Police Department told Newsweek that despite the note, they were still unsure of a motive for the gunman.
Update 11/25/22, 5:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from the Chesapeake Police Department.
Update 11/25/22, 12 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and background.
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