Georgia Walmart shooting spree leaves 2 dead, 1 injured; suspect arrested in SC
The suspect in a Georgia Walmart shooting spree that left two dead and one injured has been captured in South Carolina.
Around 1:30 a.m. Friday, deputies with the Newton County Sheriff's Office responded to a shooting at the Walmart located on Salem Road in Covington, Georgia, which is about 35 miles southeast of Atlanta.
At the time of the incident, the store was closed for business, with only employees present inside.
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According to the preliminary investigation, one of the employees exited the building, retrieved a firearm and went back inside. The suspect then confronted a co-worker within the store and fatally shot them.
Deputies said the suspect then shot a second co-worker outside the Walmart. The second victim was transported to a local hospital and is currently in critical condition.
Following the shooting at Walmart, the suspect broke into a nearby home on Emerson Trail and fatally shot a woman.
"This was not an active shooter situation," the sheriff's office said. "The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew."
Newton County Sgt. Jack Redlinger said in a briefing that the suspect later got into a standoff with authorities on Interstate 20 in Aiken, South Carolina, and shot himself.
Officials said the suspect was transported to an area hospital.
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No law enforcement officers were injured in the standoff, according to officials.
This is an active and ongoing investigation. At this time, there is no word on a motive for the shootings. Authorities have not released the suspect's name.
Late Friday morning, deputies said the Walmart will be closed to the public today due to the shooting.
No additional details have been released at this time.