A Walmart employee in Georgia fatally shot two acquaintances and critically injured another in a targeted shooting spree that began inside a closed Walmart store early Friday, according to law enforcement officials.
According to the news agency AP, the suspect, who was working at the Covington-area Walmart Supercenter at the time, first exited the building around 1:30 am (local time) to retrieve a firearm before returning and fatally shooting a co-worker inside, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said.
The store was closed to the public, and only employees were inside at the time.
He then shot a second employee outside the store, critically wounding them. Authorities said the gunman then drove to a nearby home less than two miles away, where he forced his way in and fatally shot a female acquaintance. It remains unclear whether she also worked at Walmart.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” CBS News quoted the sheriff’s office. “The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew”, the sheriff’s office added.
The man fled Georgia following the shootings and was tracked using Flock Safety surveillance cameras, which can identify vehicles by license plate, make, model and color. He was apprehended later that morning in Aiken, South Carolina, near the Georgia state line, authorities confirmed during a briefing, according to The Newsweek.
Officials have not released the identities of the victims or the suspect, and the motive remains under investigation. However, authorities emphasised the personal nature of the attacks, suggesting the victims were known to the shooter.
The wounded employee remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Walmart issued a statement expressing shock and sorrow. “We’re heartbroken by what’s happened,” CBS News quoted Joe Pennington, director of Walmart’s global press office. “There’s no place for violence in our stores. We’re focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation”, Pennington added.
The Newton County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing.
According to the news agency AP, the suspect, who was working at the Covington-area Walmart Supercenter at the time, first exited the building around 1:30 am (local time) to retrieve a firearm before returning and fatally shooting a co-worker inside, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said.
The store was closed to the public, and only employees were inside at the time.
He then shot a second employee outside the store, critically wounding them. Authorities said the gunman then drove to a nearby home less than two miles away, where he forced his way in and fatally shot a female acquaintance. It remains unclear whether she also worked at Walmart.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” CBS News quoted the sheriff’s office. “The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew”, the sheriff’s office added.
The man fled Georgia following the shootings and was tracked using Flock Safety surveillance cameras, which can identify vehicles by license plate, make, model and color. He was apprehended later that morning in Aiken, South Carolina, near the Georgia state line, authorities confirmed during a briefing, according to The Newsweek.
Officials have not released the identities of the victims or the suspect, and the motive remains under investigation. However, authorities emphasised the personal nature of the attacks, suggesting the victims were known to the shooter.
The wounded employee remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Walmart issued a statement expressing shock and sorrow. “We’re heartbroken by what’s happened,” CBS News quoted Joe Pennington, director of Walmart’s global press office. “There’s no place for violence in our stores. We’re focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation”, Pennington added.
The Newton County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is ongoing.
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