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Fatal shooting at the Beavercreek Walmart may be racially motivated; store to reopen Friday

The Walmart in Beavercreek
Beavercreek Police
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Beavercreek Police
The Walmart in Beavercreek was the site of a fatal shooting Monday night, Nov. 20. Four shoppers were injured in the incident.

Beavercreek Walmart Superstore will reopen Friday after what the FBI believes to be racially motivated mass shooting.

Investigators believe the fatal shooting at the Beavercreek Walmart may be racially inspired. The FBI and the Beavercreek Police are sorting through the journal writings connected to the gunman, Benjamin Charles Jones.

Agents say based on evidence collected, the attack may have been at least partially inspired by Racially Motivated Violent Extremist ideology.

According to the FBI, these individuals are driven by a racial or ethnic bias against another group. They also use political and religious justifications to support their ideology, objectives and criminal activities.

Monday night, November 20, at the Walmart Superstore in Beavercreek, police say Benjamin Charles Jones opened fire around 8:35 p.m. inside the retail store. The shooter injured four shoppers, two African American women and a white man and woman. All are recovering.

Police say Jones died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Beavercreek Police released body cam footage following the two officer who found Jones' body.

Additionally, investigators say the 20-year-old bought his weapon on November 18 from a Dayton area store. Jones used a Hi-Point .45 caliber carbine rifle with one 9-round magazine.

Agents are examining the ATF form he filled out during the purchase to determine if any of his answers were inaccurate.

In a released statement, Walmart said: Following Monday’s tragedy at our Beavercreek store, our focus has remained on supporting our associates’ well-being. While speaking with them about when to reopen and resume serving customers, their overwhelming feedback was to do so as soon as possible.

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The Beavercreek police and FBI are collaborating in this investigation. They're asking anyone with information about Jones to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or go online at tips.fbi.gov

The super retailer at 3360 Pentagon Boulevard will open at 6 a.m.

Kathryn Mobley is an award-winning broadcast journalist, crafting stories for more than 30 years. She’s reported and produced for TV, NPR affiliate and for the web. Mobley also contributes to several area community groups. She sings tenor with World House Choir (Yellow Springs), she’s a board member of the Beavercreek Community Theatre and volunteers with two community television operations, DATV (Dayton) and MVCC (Centerville).

Email: kmobley@wyso.org
Cell phone: (937) 952-9924