Current:Home > MyShooting at a Walmart south of Atlanta left 1 dead and a girl wounded. Suspect is on the run. -ProgressCapital
Shooting at a Walmart south of Atlanta left 1 dead and a girl wounded. Suspect is on the run.
View
Date:2025-04-14 00:15:39
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! (723)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican
- Watch this toddler tap out his big sister at Air Force boot camp graduation ceremony
- Pregnant Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan Reveal Sex of Twin Babies
- The 'Rebel Ridge' trailer is here: Get an exclusive first look at Netflix movie
- Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican
- ACOTAR TV Show Update Will Have Book Fans Feeling Thorny
- Pregnant Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan Reveal Sex of Twin Babies
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- 2 children dead, 11 injured in mass stabbing at dance school's Taylor Swift-themed class
Ranking
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- Detroit mother gets 35+ years in prison for death of 3-year-old son found in freezer
- Car plunges hundreds of feet off Devil's Slide along California's Highway 1, killing 3
- How Harris and Trump differ on artificial intelligence policy
- Chief beer officer for Yard House: A side gig that comes with a daily swig.
- How Stephen Nedoroscik delivered on pommel horse to seal US gymnastics' Olympic bronze
- Walmart Fashion Finds That Look Expensive, Starting at Only $8
- Ryan Murphy keeps his Olympic medal streak alive in 100 backstroke
Recommendation
3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
2024 Olympics: Jade Carey Makes Epic Return to Vault After Fall at Gymnastics Qualifiers
Anthony Edwards cheers on Team USA table tennis after friendly trash talk, 'challenge' at 2024 Paris Olympics
2024 Olympics: Jordan Chiles’ Parents Have Heartwarming Reaction to Her Fall off the Balance Beam
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
The Best Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024 Jewelry Deals Under $50: Earrings for $20 & More up to 45% Off
Man who followed woman into her NYC apartment and stabbed her to death sentenced to 30 years to life
Detroit mother gets 35+ years in prison for death of 3-year-old son found in freezer