Deadly Shooting by Walmart Employee Leaves Two Dead, One Injured in Newton County, Georgia
Newton County, GA – April 11, 2025 — A horrifying act of workplace violence unfolded in the early hours of Friday morning when a Walmart employee in Newton County shot and killed two individuals — one inside the store and another at a nearby residence — and wounded a third person before being apprehended hours later across state lines.
Timeline of the Attack
According to authorities and initial reports from The Associated Press, the tragic series of events began around 1:30 a.m. inside a Walmart store located in Newton County. Surveillance and witness accounts reveal that an employee briefly left the store during the overnight shift, retrieved a firearm from their vehicle, and re-entered the building.
Once inside, the gunman opened fire, fatally shooting one co-worker and injuring another. The wounded victim was rushed to a local hospital and remains under medical care. Their condition has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Second Shooting at Nearby Residence
After the initial shooting at the store, the suspect fled the scene. Not long after, the gunman arrived at a nearby residence where another person — also a Walmart employee — was fatally shot. This secondary location was just a short distance from the Walmart, and authorities believe the attack was premeditated and targeted.
FOX 5 Atlanta confirmed that the individual killed at the residence was also employed at the same Walmart, deepening the connections among all the involved parties.
Suspect Captured in South Carolina
The shooter’s attempt to evade capture was short-lived. Law enforcement tracked the suspect across state lines and apprehended him in Aiken, South Carolina, several hours after the killings. Newton County Sheriff’s Office worked in coordination with South Carolina authorities to locate and arrest the individual without further incident.
The name of the suspect has not been officially released as of Friday morning, but police confirm that the suspect, along with both deceased victims and the injured individual, were all known to each other.
“Specifically Targeted Individuals They Knew”
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this was not a random act of violence. In a statement, officials said, “The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew.” Investigators are now looking into the relationships between the shooter and the victims, including any potential history of conflict or motive that may have led to this deadly outburst.
Community Reeling from the Tragedy
The Walmart where the first shooting took place was closed immediately after the incident. Law enforcement cordoned off the area as crime scene investigators combed through the store for evidence. Walmart has yet to release a formal statement but is expected to provide support to employees and the families of those affected.
Shocked residents of Newton County are grappling with the tragedy, expressing grief and disbelief that such violence occurred within a familiar workplace.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said one community member who lives near the store. “We shop there all the time. You don’t expect something like this to happen where you live — not with people who see each other every day at work.”
Investigation Ongoing
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together a more detailed timeline and motive. Detectives are interviewing witnesses, reviewing security footage, and collaborating with both local and out-of-state agencies.
The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. A tip line has also been established for anonymous leads.