
A man opened fire in a Fred Meyer store. A 39-year-old man (Aaron Christopher Kelly) is charged with Premeditated First Degree Murder and Attempted First Degree Murder after he opened fire in Fred Meyer yesterday. Documents state that Monday morning, Kelly wandered into Fred Meyer in Richland just after 11 AM. He grabbed a shopping cart, but no items. Kelly walked through aisles when he eventually used a 9 millimeter to shoot Justin Krumbah. He then shot him several more times after Krumbah collapsed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kelly then walked to customer service where he shot Mark Hill a Fred Meyer employee. He was in the store for less than seven minutes, leaving two victims behind. 27 hours after Aaron Christopher Kelly opened fire in a Richland Fred Meyer he walked, shackled, into court. Hill is currently in critical condition at Kadlec. Both men (Krumbah and Hill) were apparently shot by chance. Arraignment is set for February 23rd. A judge set Kelly’s bail at $1 million. Those close to Hill are asking that anyone with O positive or universal blood that is willing to donate contacts Red Cross.
Justin Krumbah was identified as the victim who died on scene. Krumbah was an Instacart shopper. A GoFundMe has been organized for his funeral, which surpassed $12,000 in less than 12 hours. Those close to Hill are asking that anyone with O positive or universal blood that is willing to donate contacts Red Cross. “There’s nothing that indicates to our investigators that there was any kind of relationship between our suspect and our victims,” said Richland Police Department Interim Chief Brigit Clary.
The Fred Meyer on Wellsian Way currently has a large police presence. Richland Police Department has advised people avoid the area. In addition to RPD, Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department, Benton County Fire and Benton County Sheriff’s Office are assisting the investigation. SWAT is on scene along with police dogs. ATF Special Agents are coming from Seattle to assist.