Possible Motive Behind Walmart Shooting Revealed By Police
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on November 25, 2023 at 1:30 PM EST
On Monday, 20-year-old Benjamin Charles Jones allegedly began shooting at a local Ohio Walmart. After an investigation, police may have a possible motive.
Just days before Thanksgiving, the 20-year-old entered a Walmart located in Beavercreek, Ohio, injuring four people before taking his own life. Those who were injured include a Caucasian female, two African American females, and a Caucasian male.
After investigating further, the police say the motive could have been partially inspired by Racially Motivated Violent Extremist (RMVE) ideology.
Benjamin Charles Jones Left Behind Journal Entries
“Based on evidence collected, including journal writings from the attacker, Benjamin Charles Jones, the attack may have been at least partially inspired by Racially Motivated Violent Extremist (RMVE) ideology,” FBI officials said in a press conference earlier this week.
The FBI stated that the 20-year-old had bought a Hi-Point .45 caliber carbine - which was the weapon used in the shooting - just two days before he reportedly entered the Walmart and shot four people. The gun purchase paperwork is currently being investigated.
Jones reportedly walked into the retail store around 8:35 p.m. Monday night "and began firing a gun." They also revealed that a"fifth person, the shooter, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."
The incident remains under investigation. Those who were injured in the shooting are all currently in stable condition.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Walmart responded to the incident. "We’re heartbroken by what’s happened at our Beavercreek, Ohio store," a company spokesperson told the outlet.
"This remains a developing situation, and we’re working closely with investigators on the scene. All questions should be directed to local law enforcement."
Louisville Mass Shooter Connor Sturgeon’s Motive Revealed
This latest shooting comes just days after a motive behind the Louisville shooting, which occurred earlier this year, was revealed.
Connor Sturgeon, who reportedly killed five people and injured eight others in Louisville earlier this year, stated that gun laws were the reasoning behind his actions. In a note left by Sturgeon, he admitted, “I have decided to make an impact. These people did not deserve to die, but because I was depressed and able to buy [guns], they are gone.”
The 25-year-old bought an AR-15 before entering the Old National Bank, the bank where he used to work, on April 10, 2023. He killed five co-workers — Thomas Elliott, 63, Joshua Barrick, 40, Juliana Farmer, 45, Deana Eckert, 57, and James Tutt, 64.
“Perhaps this is the impact for change — upper-class white people dying. I certainly would not have been able to do this were it more difficult to get a gun,” the handwritten note continued. “I know our politicians are solely focused on lining their own pockets, but maybe this will knock some sense into them. If not, good luck.”
The note was written six days before he opened fire in the bank, according to the police report.
Police obtained a receipt, showing that someone purchased an AR-15 for $499.99 on April 4 — six days before Sturgeon entered the bank and killed five people. It is believed that the receipt belonged to Connor Sturgeon.
The 25-year-old suspect went on to explain in the note how he wanted to “impact change” of gun laws.
“Oh my god, this is so easy,” he wrote the day before the shooting, which was after the AR-15 was purchased. “Seriously I knew... I knew it would be doable, but this is ridiculous. Walked in and bought a gun, 4 mags, and 120 rounds for $700. Got some glasses and earplugs.”
Sturgeon went on to say how it is “legitimately unfathomable how easy [it] was” to purchase the AR-15 and the magazines.
