SHOCKING footage shows a man who claimed to hate pharmacies allegedly shooting and killing a Walgreens employee.
Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, 30, walked into the pharmacy with a handgun in his pocket before shooting out security cameras, police reported.
Fernandez entered the Walgreens in Madera, California, around 9:30 pm on March 31.
In the security footage released by law enforcement, Fernandez can be seen staring directly at the camera waving what appears to be a handgun.
The man points the gun at the camera, and then the footage goes black.
According to local ABC affiliate KMPH, the man allegedly murdered 34-year-old employee Erick Velasquez while other employees sought shelter during the incident, police reported.
Velasquez and Fernandez have no known connections, according to officers, and no known ties to Madera.
Police chief Giachino Chiaramonte informed KMPH that the man communicated to some female victims outside, stating, “This isn’t about you,” before heading to his car where officers discovered him reloading his handgun.
Cops said they are trying to find a motive for the incident, but they noted that Fernandez has a history of hatred towards big pharmacies.
Chief Chiaramonte mentioned, “We’re facing challenges because some statements indicate he harbored anger towards pharmacies overall, not just Walgreens specifically.”
“You could say only one life was lost, but we have numerous people touched trying to understand the why,” Chief Chiaramonte said.
“I have a victim’s family. He’s got a wife. He’s got two children—one’s an infant—and they’re trying to understand the why.”
Chiaramonte does not believe that Fernandez could possibly have been inspired by Luigi Mangione, who was accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ABC News reported.
The chief noted that Valesquez worked in Walgreens but did not work as a pharmacist.
Chiaramonte reported that the pharmacy part of Walgreens was closed at the time of the shooting, and the victim was not shot in the pharmacy area.
In a statement to The U.S. Sun, Walgreens said it is “deeply saddened” by the tragic incident.
“We are deeply saddened by Monday’s tragic event, which resulted in the death of one our team members. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time,” the company wrote in an email.
“We are focused on supporting our employees and will be offering on-site counseling services over the next couple days. The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we are working with local authorities in their investigation.”
