Current:Home > StocksShooting at a Walmart south of Atlanta left 1 dead and a girl wounded. Suspect is on the run. -GrowthProspect
Shooting at a Walmart south of Atlanta left 1 dead and a girl wounded. Suspect is on the run.
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:52:50
A manhunt is underway for a male suspect who police say was responsible for a Friday shooting inside a Walmart in Georgia that left one person dead and a 9-year-old girl wounded, police say.
The second instance of fatal violence inside a Walmart within a week in the United States, the shooting was reported around 10 p.m. local time at a store in Fayetteville, located 22 miles south of Atlanta, according to the city's public safety department. A 19-year-old man was the target of the shooting, while the child was merely a bystander hit by a stray bullet, police said.
Both victims were transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment, where the 19 year old, identified as Antavius Holton of Riverdale, Georgia, was pronounced dead. The girl's injuries were not life-threatening, police said in a Saturday update on Facebook.
Investigators quickly identified a 19-year-old man named Adrian Jelks as the suspected gunman and initiated a search to arrest him on charges of murder and aggravated assault, according to the Fayetteville public safety department.
Detroit blues club shooting:5 injured in shooting over a parking spot dispute, police say
Police release photo of suspect; arrest suspected accomplice
Fayetteville police released a photo of a man they identified as Jelks within hours of the shooting.
By the time police responded to the Walmart, Jelks had already fled the scene in a vehicle that investigators later found abandoned. It's unclear where Jelks may be, but police warned the public that he is still believed to be armed and to call 911 if they encounter him.
Fayetteville Police Chief Scott Gray had no new information to share when reached Monday morning by USA TODAY.
A 19-year-old woman who is suspected of being an accomplice in the shooting was arrested by Saturday morning, police said. Sandra Romero-Nunez of Fayetteville was charged on suspicion of being a party to murder and aggravated assault, police said.
Shooting comes after fatal stabbing at Illinois Walmart days earlier
The shooting comes days after an 18-year-old Walmart employee was killed March 24 at a northern Illinois store in a stabbing attack.
Investigators said the victim was working inside the Walmart at the time of the attack, which occurred in Rockford, about 17 miles south of the Wisconsin state line. A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, according to the Winnabego County District Attorney's Office.
While police said the Georgia shooting was not believed to be random, it was unclear what Jelks' suspected motive was for the attack.
“We're heartbroken by what happened in our Fayetteville store Friday night and extend our sympathies to the loved ones of those involved," Walmart said in a Monday statement provided to USA TODAY. "We are working with law enforcement to assist them in any way we can as they investigate.”
Shoppers told Atlanta News First that they were initially confused by the commotion Friday until they learned what had happened.
“This isn’t usually something that happens in this community,” Rhonda Cason told the news station. “It’s usually a quiet community. So, this is really unusual for us.”
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
veryGood! (7)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- UFL schedule for Week 3 games: D.C. Defenders, Arlington Renegades open play April 13
- Proof Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Love Is Immortal
- Woman with history of DUIs sentenced to 15 years to life for California crash that killed mom-to-be
- Small twin
- Family remembers teen who died saving children pulled by strong currents at Florida beach
- Visitors are seen on camera damaging rock formations at a Nevada recreation site
- Learn more about O.J. Simpson: The TV, movies, books and podcasts about the trial of the century
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- 1 dead in small plane crash in northwest Indiana, police say
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- JoJo Siwa Addresses Claim She “Stole” Her New Song “Karma” From Miley Cyrus and Brit Smith
- A jury of his peers: A look at how jury selection will work in Donald Trump’s first criminal trial
- Maine lawmakers reject bill for lawsuits against gunmakers and advance others after mass shooting
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- NBA playoff picture: How the final weekend of regular season can shape NBA playoff bracket
- Judge rejects defense efforts to dismiss Hunter Biden’s federal gun case
- DNC paid $1.7 million to Biden's lawyers in special counsel probe
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Kris Jenner's Sister Karen Houghton's Cause of Death Revealed
Tiger Woods sets all-time record for consecutive made cuts at The Masters in 2024
Benteler Steel plans $21 million expansion, will create 49 jobs
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Group seeking to recall Florida city’s mayor says it has enough signatures to advance
Visitors are seen on camera damaging rock formations at a Nevada recreation site
How a hush money scandal tied to a porn star led to Trump’s first criminal trial