CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The Chesapeake Walmart where six people were shot and killed in November 2022 is reopening on April 19, the company announced Monday.
According to Walmart, the store on Sam's Circle underwent significant design changes, including an outdoor memorial space to "honor the victims and provide a place of comfort."
The memorial will have greenery and six seating structures honoring the Walmart associates who were killed, along with a plaque displaying the victims’ names.
For Billy Pillar, grief is still at the forefront.
"Kellie was taken from us and I don’t think any of us will ever understand it," he said.
Pillar said his cousin, 52-year-old Kellie Pyle, was his best friend.
She leaves behind her two children, granddaughter, and fiancé.
"She was funny. I can still hear her voice. I can still hear her laugh," he said. "She had a wicked sense of humor. She loved her kids and she loved her granddaughter, Harper, so much."
He said losing her in such a shocking way has filled him with anger and sadness.
"When you love somebody, tell them every day," Pillar said. "You never know if you’ll ever talk to them again. Something like this can happen to anyone. Never thought it would happen to us."
He said the news of the memorial came as a surprise to them.
"None of us know anything about what they’re doing. Don’t spring that on the families on the day of the press release," he said. "They could’ve picked up the phone. They could’ve consulted us with the memorial. They could’ve kept us in the know instead of doing it through a press release."
A spokesperson for Walmart says they consulted associates from the Chesapeake Walmart and community members on the memorial design process, but has not said whether they reached out to victims' families for input.
Pillar said he wishes the store would close or be turned into a warehouse for the company.
"I’ll never walk into another Walmart again. I just won’t because my memories of Kellie are not going to be tarnished with that store."
The company said the store will have expanded shopping options and a fresh look.
“We are deeply touched by the community’s compassion and support as we continue to heal from last year’s tragedy,” Alycia Mixon, the store manager wrote in a news release.
“As we move forward with our reopening, we do so in a way that honors the victims and provides continued support to our associates."
The store closed on Nov. 22, the same day of the shooting. A team lead opened fire in the break room, killing six people and then himself. Several other people were hurt in the chaos.
On Feb. 17, a spokesperson for Walmart confirmed the company was hiring positions for the first time since the store closed.
The reopening will begin with a ceremony on April 19 at 9 a.m. and the store itself will open at 10 a.m.
As for what comes next for Pyle's family, Pillar said he prays every day for the pain to go away.
"I don’t know that it will ever go away, but when the hurt subdues for her kids, they can look back and laugh and remember her and have happy tears. That’s what I pray for."