Man who hates big pharmacies allegedly guns down Walgreens worker: Police
A man who said he hates big pharmacies allegedly gunned down a Walgreens worker in California, according to police.
Suspect Narciso Gallardo Fernandez had a handgun in his pocket when he went into a Walgreens in Madera, shooting out a security camera before he allegedly shot and killed employee Erick Velasquez around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Madera police said.
Fernandez then fired his gun at other store employees as they fled, police said.
Velasquez died at the store, where bystanders were sheltering in place, police said.
Responding officers found the 30-year-old suspect in the parking lot, reloading his gun, and took him into custody, according to police.
Madera is about 25 miles outside of Fresno.
Fernandez appeared in court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with a gun enhancement and attempted murder with a gun enhancement.
His bail was set a $3 million and his pre-preliminary hearing has been set for April 4.
Fernandez didn't appear to know the victim, but he allegedly told investigators he hates big pharmacies, Madera Police Chief Giachino Chiaramonte told ABC News.
Chiaramonte said he does not believe this shooting was inspired by Luigi Mangione, who is accused of the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December.
Velasquez was a Walgreens worker, but not a pharmacist, the chief noted. The pharmacy was closed at the time of the shooting and the victim was not shot in the pharmacy area, he added.
