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Woman Who Opened Fire at Peninsula Market Charged With Attempted Murder

The 20-year-old said she had been molested, hated men and wanted to see what it was like to kill someone, authorities said.

The woman who police say has been charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder and one count of first-degree assault, according to the Pierce County prosecuting attorney.

Laura Sorenson, who opened fire at the , appeared at the Pierce County Superior Court on Monday, where she pleaded not guilty, The Seattle Times reported.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Sorenson entered the grocery store around noon, set down her purse and shot three men with a .357-caliber handgun.

During the interview with police, Sorenson, 20, said she went to her grandmother’s house in the Purdy area before the shooting, where she took the gun. She also said she had been molested as a young child and hated men. That day, she had decided to kill herself and wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone else first.

According to charging documents, witnesses said they heard about four or five shots during the incident.

During the shooting, Sorenson told women at the store that she did not intend to hurt them.

One of the victims, who was shot in the leg, said he heard shots and saw Sorenson approach another man who was crouched down. She pointed the gun at him and fired. Officials said the bullet went through his upper leg. He remains in the hospital.

The third victim was at the first check stand and was shot in the right arm. Police said the bullet traveled into his chest and out of his back. He is in critical but stable condition.

After all rounds were fired, Sorenson put the gun down. Meanwhile, one of the female shoppers was able to hold Sorenson down until police arrived.

During the investigation, Sorenson said she has a mental health condition and is on medication.

Sorenson’s bail has been set at $1.5 million.

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