Suspect Who Allegedly Shot and Killed Walgreens Employee Had ‘Anger Towards Pharmacies,” Police Say

A California man who allegedly walked into a Walgreens store and fatally shot an employee had a grudge against corporate pharmacies, according to police. 

Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, 30, is accused of shooting a Walgreens employee, Erick Velasquez, 34, earlier this week, the Madera Police Department told USA Today. Police allege he arrived at the store with a handgun in his pocket before shooting Velasquez and then turning his gun at the other employees as they fled the store.

Madera Police Chief Gino Chiaramonte told ABC 30 and Fox 26 that Fernandez allegedly entered the store and opened fire, killing Velasquez. The shooting appeared to be random and the two men didn’t know each other.

Surveillance footage obtained by the two outlets allegedly shows Fernandez entering the store and waving his gun at the security camera before firing the weapon.

Velasquez was pronounced dead at the scene when authorities arrived, police said in a Facebook post. When police searched the pharmacy, they found other bystanders who were hiding from the shooter.

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Police said Fernandez was reloading his handgun in the pharmacy’s parking lot when they arrived, per a news release obtained by USA Today. He surrendered when they arrived at the scene and was booked in Madera County Jail for a homicide charge. 

Chiaramonte said Fernandez drove more than 80 miles to the store. When interviewed by police, Fernandez allegedly said he “hates big pharmacies.”

According to ABC 30, Chiaramonte said they haven’t found proof that the shooting was inspired by Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.

A GoFundMe set up to help Velasquez’s family said he was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend who always viewed life with a positive attitude. 

“Together we are trying to raise money to help his family during this very dark and tragic time,” Elizabeth Sobbe, organizer of the fundraiser, wrote in the description. “We will always remember his big, bright, smile. He would always encourage us to live life to the fullest, just like he did.”