White man who who killed two Black people at Kroger attempted to enter Black church first

The man who fatally shot two African-Americans at a suburban Louisville, Kentucky Kroger, tried to first attack a Black church but couldn’t get past security.

—“Whites don’t kill whites,” Kentucky gunman said after fatally shooting black man and woman—

Gregory Bush was arrested and arraigned Thursday on two counts of murder and 10 counts of wanton endangerment. His bail was set at $5 million. Bush killed Vickie Lee Jones and Maurice E. Stallard, the NY Times reports.

Witnesses said Bush also made racist remarks before carrying out the senseless attacks.

Chief Sam Rogers, of the Jeffersontown Police Department, said at a news conference on Thursday that Bush made an unsuccessful attempt to get into the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, which is near the murder scene.

Billy Williams, the church administrator, said at least 10 church-goers were inside when Bush tried to shake open the church doors, but couldn’t because they were locked. He then reportedly left the premises and drove to the Krogers store.

“There were 70 people here at our weekly meeting service just an hour before he came by,” said Williams. “I’m just thankful that all of our doors and security was in place.”

—Father grieves after 16-year-old honor student is murdered on his way home from work ‘He was just a good kid’—

Another person who had a concealed carry permit confronted Bush and the two began an exchange of gunfire, police said. Neither man was struck.

According to the Courier-Journal, Bush passed by Ed Harrell who was waiting in the parking lot for his wife. When he saw the commotion, he grabbed his own revolver, then came across Bush and asked him what was happening. Bush, who had his gun drawn and was holding it by his side told him: “Don’t shoot me. I won’t shoot you. Whites don’t shoot whites.”