Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Concord, NC: Husband and wife dead in Concord Lowe's shooting

A husband and wife are dead after an apparent murder-suicide at Lowe’s Home Improvement on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

Concord Police said that Por Ye Lor, 31, walked into the store at about 5:20 p.m. Monday and started a domestic argument with his wife, Zoua “Vivian” Xiong, 25, a cashier at the store.

Lor pulled out a gun and shot her, then turned the gun on himself.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Employees and patrons evacuated from the store said Xiong tried to run away from her husband.

The couple, who live at 1102 Arbor Dr., Salisbury, leave behind three children.

Relatives of the victims gathered outside the Lowe’s, waiting for word from police about her. When they found out the news, they broke down, hugging and consoling one another. A brother of the shooter, Sunnis Lor, told WSOC-TV he spoke with Por Le Yor earlier on Monday and said he was fine.

"He didn't tell me nothing." Lor said, "Three o'clock, I went to work and my parents called me and said something happened to my brother and sister-in-law, that's it."

Police haven’t determined a motive for the shooting, but Interim Police Chief Guy Smith said it was an isolated incident.

Lowe’s spokeswoman Karen Cobb said the incident was the result of a domestic dispute between Xiong and Lor.

“We are deeply saddened at the loss of a member of our Lowe's family,” Cobb said. “Our thoughts are with the families of both victims and our employees who worked closely with Vivian Xiong.”

Grief counselors were on hand for employees affected by the incident, Cobb said. The store re-opened Tuesday morning. Employees from neighboring stores were also on hand to cover for anyone who felt they couldn't come to work.

Contact online editor Ben McNeely: 704-789-9131

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