Current:Home > MarketsShooting at a Walmart south of Atlanta left 1 dead and a girl wounded. Suspect is on the run. -AssetVision
Shooting at a Walmart south of Atlanta left 1 dead and a girl wounded. Suspect is on the run.
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:01:39
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! (3)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Heavy equipment, snow shovels used to clean up hail piled knee-deep in small Colorado city
- Hailie Jade, Eminem's daughter, ties the knot with Evan McClintock: 'Waking up a wife'
- Police search home of Rex Heuermann, accused in Gilgo Beach slayings, for second time
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- I’m an Editor Who Loves Bright, Citrus Scents and These Perfumes Smell Like Sunshine
- Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice won’t face charges from person over alleged assault, Dallas police say
- Wegovy, Saxenda study reveals surprising trend for weight loss drugs
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- NRA names new leadership to replace former CEO found liable for wrongly spending millions
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Generative AI poses threat to election security, federal intelligence agencies warn
- Demi Moore talks full-frontal nudity scenes in Cannes-premiered horror movie 'The Substance'
- Ex-Cowboys QB Tony Romo plays round of golf with former President Donald Trump in Dallas
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Parole delayed for former LA police detective convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend’s wife in 1986
- Clark signs multiyear deal with Wilson Sporting Goods for signature basketball line
- Run, Don’t Walk to Zappos' Memorial Day Shoe Sale, Including Hoka, Birkenstocks & More Up to 70% off
Recommendation
Small twin
Pedigree dog food recall affects hundreds of bags in 4 states. See if you're among them.
Driver was going 131 mph before wreck that killed Illinois 17-year-old ahead of graduation: Police
AI is tutoring and teaching some students, reshaping the classroom landscape
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Victoria Monét drops out of June music festival appearances due to 'health issues'
Kentucky congressman expects no voter fallout for his role in attempt to oust House speaker
Trump Media, valued at $7 billion, booked less than $1 million in first-quarter sales