Edition8 News Staff

Published April 11, 2025

A tragic shooting unfolded early Friday morning at the Walmart Supercenter on Salem Road in Covington, Georgia, resulting in two fatalities and one critical injury, according to Newton County officials.

Authorities say that at approximately 1:30 a.m., during the store's closure, a male employee exited the premises to retrieve a firearm. Upon returning, he fatally shot a co-worker inside the store and critically wounded another employee outside. The assailant then forcibly entered the residence of a female acquaintance nearby, where he fatally shot her. ​

The suspect, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was apprehended in Aiken, South Carolina, approximately 150 miles from Covington. Using Flock Safety surveillance cameras, law enforcement tracked his vehicle across state lines. During a standoff, the suspect sustained self-inflicted gunshot wounds and was subsequently hospitalized.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the victims were acquaintances of the shooter and that this was not an active shooter situation. The identities of the victims have not been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

This incident adds to a concerning pattern of violence at the Covington Walmart. In October 2024, two employees were arrested after allegedly firing shots during a parking lot altercation. Earlier, in December 2023, a man was shot in both legs following a dispute between a mother and son. ​

Walmart expressed deep sorrow over the recent events, stating, "There's no place for violence in our stores." The company pledged to support associates and assist law enforcement in their investigations.

Walmart employee shoots, kills two, critically injures one