Kroger manager involved in fatal shooting quits

Elijah Elliott said he wishes a robber at his northwest side grocery store had made different decisions that wouldn’t have led to his death the night after Christmas.

Elliott fatally wounded Jeremy Atkinson at the Kroger store at West 71st Street and Georgetown Road on December 26th after Atkinson entered the store in a robbery attempt.

“Mr. Atkinson was choking another employee when I encountered him and at that point he charged after me in an office where I no opportunity to retreat,” said Ellliott. “So…that’s all it is.”

Elliott fired three times, fatally striking Atkinson in the face. The Marion County prosecutor declined to  charge Elliott in the case, ruling that he acted in self-defense of himself and his fellow employees.


Elliott said Kroger stood by him, granting him paid leave after the shooting and offering counseling. Elliott has decided to resign his six year long career with the grocery chain.

“I think I will be able to find a company that shares the same values I do.”

Elliott said his uncomfortable with being called a hero by strangers and expressed his regrets to the Atkinson family. He said he hopes his actions in self-defense will lead other Indiana companies to reconsider their policies against arming employees.

“I hope it could be handled on a case-by-case basis. I believe that employees, if they were allowed to carry in the workplace, would be trained and competent employees.”

Elliott said he realized his decision to violate Kroger policy and carry a gun at work put his employer in a tight spot.