A Walmart employee shot and killed two coworkers and critically injured another in a targeted attack early Friday morning, April 11, in Covington, Georgia, according to authorities.
The incident began around 1:30 a.m. at a Walmart Supercenter in Covington, located southeast of Atlanta, while the store was closed to the public but employees were working inside.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office stated that the suspect, who was working at the retailer, left the Walmart, retrieved a handgun, and then returned inside where he located and fatally shot one of his coworkers.
The gunman then encountered another employee standing outside the store and shot that person as well, leaving them in critical condition. The wounded employee was transported to a local hospital.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew.”
After the shootings at the store, authorities reported that the suspect traveled to a residence approximately two miles away, where he broke into the home of another coworker. The suspect forced entry by kicking in the front door and fatally shot 19-year-old Akeela Clarke.
Family members told local media that Clarke was murdered in front of her mother while her sister hid. The relationship between the shooter and the victims has not been fully explained by authorities, though officials described all victims as “acquaintances” of the suspect.
Following the attacks, the suspect fled Georgia, traveling approximately 150 miles east on Interstate 20 into South Carolina. Law enforcement located the suspect in Aiken, South Carolina.
Sergeant Jack Redlinger confirmed that the Georgia and South Carolina state patrols, along with local police departments, coordinated efforts to apprehend the suspect. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Georgia State Patrol to make the arrest at approximately 3:55 a.m.
“This is still an active investigation,” Redlinger told local media.
During the apprehension, officials reported that the suspect engaged in a brief standoff with law enforcement before shooting himself. First responders transported the suspect to a hospital for treatment. No law enforcement officers were injured during the confrontation.
The identities of the other victims have not yet been released by authorities, and police have not disclosed a motive for the shootings.
One report identified the suspect as Dwayne Eduh, 24, of Covington, Georgia, though official confirmation from law enforcement is still pending.
According to multiple sources, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from Aiken County investigators in South Carolina.
Walmart representatives expressed their distress over the situation. In a statement to the press, the company indicated that the store would be temporarily closed while the investigation continues.
A company spokesperson conveyed that Walmart was heartbroken by the incident and emphasized that there is no place for violence in their stores, according to reports.
The preliminary investigation confirmed that only employees were inside the store at the time of the shooting, as the business was closed to the public during the overnight hours.
Newton County deputies and Georgia State Patrol troopers responded to the initial crime scenes in Covington, securing both the Walmart location and the residential property where the shootings occurred.
This isn’t the first violent incident at the Covington Walmart. In October, two men were arrested following a confrontation where they allegedly fired shots at each other in the store’s parking lot after a disagreement.
The sheriff’s department confirmed that the suspect knew all of the victims, emphasizing that these were targeted attacks rather than random violence.
Local residents expressed shock at the violence that unfolded in their community. The Walmart Supercenter on Salem Road serves as a major retailer for the area, and many in the community are familiar with the employees who work there.
Authorities continue to piece together the timeline and circumstances surrounding the shootings. Officials indicated that additional details would be released as the investigation progresses.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a press conference to provide further updates on the case and to address community concerns about the incident.
