Fight ends in gunfire outside Foods Co in Tulare

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two people were shot Wednesday evening after a stabbing at a busy grocery store. No one is in custody for what happened at this point.

Tulare police say there was a fight at the front doors to Foods Co. A man was stabbed and then shot as he went inside to get help. An employee who went to help the victim was also shot.

"The next thing you know it was 2, then 3, then 4 and it escalated inside," said one witness who asked not to be identified.

Witnesses and investigators say the stabbing victim ran for help inside the store moments before the shooting. "The guys just runs up and starts shooting," the witness said.

An employee, possibly a store manager, was then shot while helping the first victim. All of this happened inside the crowded store.

"This is a very serious act, a very tragic act," said Tulare Police Sgt. Andrew Garcia. "Circumstances like this are rare, but they do occur."

Garcia says detectives are not sure what lead up to the violent confrontation.

The first victim's wife was questioned as a witness by investigators. She told Action News she and her husband are from Lindsay and don't know their attacker.

Police are trying to figure out how many people were involved still. "They're also reviewing the store video and utilizing that store video in assistance to identify the perpetrators and the possibly vehicle used," Garcia said.

There are plenty of witnesses for detectives to interview. The crime scene unit also collected what appears to be quite a bit of evidence from inside the store.

Witnesses say they're still in shock over the incident. "It's just sad. Just to hear him on the ground screaming and crying for help."

Both victims were listed in critical condition Wednesday evening.

Police are not yet calling this shooting gang-related, but they have not yet ruled that out either.