White Gunman Benjamin Charles Jones Opens Fire at Ohio Walmart, Motivated by Racist Extremism: FBI

Accident – Death – Obituary News : **White Gunman Motivated by Racist Extremism Opens Fire at Ohio Walmart, FBI Says**

(AP) – The FBI announced on Wednesday that a white gunman who unleashed a hail of bullets inside a Walmart in Beavercreek, Ohio, before taking his own life may have been driven by racist extremism. The attack left four people injured, including two Black women, a white woman, and a white man, just days before the Thanksgiving holiday.

According to the FBI, evidence, including journal writings, indicates that the shooting may have been partly inspired by racially violent extremist ideology. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Benjamin Charles Jones from Dayton, entered the store on Monday night armed with a Hi-Point 45-caliber Carbine long gun. He indiscriminately fired several rounds, causing injuries to multiple victims before turning the weapon on himself, authorities reported.

Attempts by The Associated Press to contact Jones’ relatives were unsuccessful, leaving unanswered questions about his motives and potential warning signs. The FBI disclosed that Jones had purchased the firearm just two days prior to the attack from a local store in Dayton. Investigators are currently examining whether he provided false information during the background check process. They are also delving into his background and online activity to gain further insights.

As of Tuesday, police confirmed that three of the victims were in stable condition at nearby hospitals, while one woman remained in critical but stable condition. Authorities have intentionally withheld the identities of the injured individuals for privacy reasons.

This incident occurred a day after another tragic shooting outside a Walmart in Anchorage, Alaska. In that case, a man fatally shot a woman before taking his own life in what police have classified as a domestic-violence related crime.

This unfortunate event in Ohio eerily echoes the 2019 massacre at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, where a white gunman targeted Hispanic shoppers, claiming the lives of 23 innocent people. In response, Walmart promptly discontinued sales of certain types of ammunition and requested that customers refrain from openly carrying firearms within their stores. The retail giant now exclusively sells hunting rifles and related ammunition.

It is noteworthy that the Walmart store in Beavercreek has a troubled history, having been the site of a fatal police shooting almost a decade ago. In August 2014, a white police officer shot and killed 22-year-old John Crawford III after he picked up an unpackaged pellet rifle he found on a store shelf. Subsequently, the family of the young Black man reached a settlement of $1.7 million with the city of Beavercreek, which included significant changes in police policy.

The authorities continue to investigate the Ohio shooting, aiming to uncover any possible connections to extremist networks and ensure the safety of the community. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the pervasive issue of gun violence and dismantle the roots of racial extremism in society..