NEW INFORMATION: A co-worker said Melvin Taylor "just didn't seem together" shortly before he shot a supervisor, and then turned the gun on himself at the Walmart distribution center in Dinwiddie County.
The employee, who did not want to be identified, told 8News the woman who was shot is 40-year-old Wynette Starks, a manager at the facility. She was shot in the leg, and is expected to recover, Dinwiddie Sheriff D.T. "Duck" Adams said.
Investigators said Taylor, 32, walked to the back of the building and opened fire after returning from his lunch break on Wednesday afternoon. He then went back outside and shot at deputies before killing himself, according to authorities. No deputies were injured.
"This is certainly a tragedy anywhere, but for Dinwiddie County, a rural county such as Dinwiddie, it's very unusual," Sheriff Adams said.
"You just don't expect something like that here," an employee told 8News.
About 250 other workers at the distribution center were kept inside for more than two hours when the building was locked down.
"We all had to go to the break room," said an employee. "We just heard across the radio that somebody's been shot."
The employees were released around 2:30 p.m. Nearby Sutherland Elementary School was also locked down for more than an hour.
Co-workers told 8News they noticed something wasn't right with Taylor the day of the shooting, but they are shocked by what happened.
"He's gonna give you 120 percent every day, but he definitely wasn't himself. I saw him and there was just something about him today," an employee said after the incident.
Walmart spokesperson Dan Fogleman issued a statement about the shooting. It reads in part:
"We appreciate the quick response of local law enforcement and are grateful there were no additional injuries. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the community, our associates, the victim and the families of both associates involved as we collectively try to come to grips with what has happened."
UPDATE: A man shot and injured a co-worker and shot at responding Dinwiddie deputies before killing himself at the Walmart distribution center in Dinwiddie County.
The 40-year-old female victim suffered injuries described as "probably not life-threatening."
According to officials, the female victim was the male suspect's manager. He allegedly shot her after returning from his lunch break early Wednesday afternoon.
The 32-year-old suspect then left the facility and fired at responding Dinwiddie authorities, but did not strike anyone. The male shooter then shot and killed himself, sheriff's officials said.
Neither suspect nor victim have been identified.
The center is located on Route 460 in Dinwiddie County. Sutherland Elementary School, located next door, was on lock down for more than an hour.
Stay with 8News for updates.
Dinwiddie officers and State Police are investigating a shooting at the Walmart Distribution Center on Route 460 in Dinwiddie County.
Maj. William Knott, of the Dinwiddie Sheriff's Office, said two people were shot inside the facility. He did not provide identities or the conditions of those shot, but did say both were employees of the facility.
According to police sources, a woman was shot and injured. The gunman reportedly then shot and killed himself.
Sutherland Elementary School, which is nearby on R.B. Pamplin Drive, is on lock down as a result of the police investigation.
8News has crews at the scene. Refresh this page for updates.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
