West Hempstead Stop & Shop reopens 6 days after deadly shooting

Stop & Shop officials encouraged shoppers to visit memorials that have been set up both inside and outside the store as "a way for all of us to honor our associates who were impacted and their families."

News 12 Staff

Apr 26, 2021, 4:44 PM

Updated 1,270 days ago

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The West Hempstead Stop & Shop where a person was fatally shot last week reopened Monday.
In a news release, Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid announced the store's reopening, six days after the shooting. Police say Gabriel DeWitt Wilson, who worked at the store collecting carts, walked into the location Tuesday morning, went straight to the second-floor offices and shot three managers of the supermarket.
Police identified the man who was killed in the shooting as Ray Wishropp, 49, while two others -- a 50-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman -- are recovering after both were shot in the shoulder.
Kristy Bica says the reopening is just what the community needs right now.
"We're West Hempstead. We're proud. We're strong and we're going to get through this together," says Bica.
The company says grief counseling is available to employees, and the chain has launched West Hempstead Compassion Fund to support the victims and their families.
Stop & Shop says it is contributing $500,000 to launch the fund.
Bica is collecting hearts from people in the community to display inside the store. The West Hempstead mom says she's collected hundreds so far and more are on the way.
"I hope that everybody realizes that we are a small town with big hearts and that we are safe," says Bica.
Police identified the man who was killed in the shooting as Ray Wishropp, 49, while two others -- a 50-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman -- are recovering after both were shot in the shoulder.
A car parade is planned for Sunday, May 2 at the store to honor the workers and Wishropp's family.
Photos courtesy Stop & Shop