California man ‘angry with pharmacies’ accused of shooting and killing Walgreens employee

A man who said he was “angry with pharmacies” is accused of fatally shooting a Walgreens employee after opening fire inside a California store Monday night.

Narciso Gallardo Fernandez was arrested in the parking lot of a Walgreens in Madera after police received a 911 call about a shooting. He is charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed store employee Erick Velazquez, police said.

The shooting happened around 9:35 p.m., less than 30 minutes before the store closed. When officers arrived, people were sheltering in place inside the store and one employee was hiding in the bathroom.

Two other employees had fled as Fernandez allegedly shot at them, police said. Velazquez was found dead inside the store.

Security video released by Madera police showed Fernandez waving at the camera with a gun in his hand before shooting out the camera.

He was standing at the back of his vehicle in the store’s parking lot, reloading a handgun when officers arrived, Lieutenant Josiah Arnold said.

Arnold said it was “clear to us that he intended to continue to shoot at people.” Fernandez was taken into custody without incident.

A motive in the shooting remains unclear. Fernandez allegedly “made some statements about being angry with pharmacies,” police said.

“That may be a factor. That is something we’re looking at,” Arnold said.

Authorities are also looking into whether a car accident the suspect was involved in a few months ago played a role in the shooting.

Fernandez lives about an hour away from Madera. It’s not clear why he opened fire at the store, Arnold said, adding that he has no known connections to the city or the victim.

Police said Velazquez and his wife were “pretty well known in the community … pillars of the community.” They have two young children.

Walgreens said it was “deeply saddened” by the shooting.

“Erick Velazquez was a valued colleague, leader, father and member of his community, and we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones,” the company said in a statement. “We’re focused on supporting our employees, as we have and will continue to offer on-site counseling services.”

Fernandez pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of murder with a gun enhancement and attempted murder with a gun enhancement. Bail was set at $3 million. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.