An employee of a Walmart store in Newton County is responsible for a tragic shooting that left two coworkers dead and another critically injured. The events which unfolded across two different scenes, have shocked the local community. Dwayne Eduh, a 24-year-old Walmart employee, carried out the shootings before leading law enforcement on a chase that concluded with him critically injuring himself during a standoff in South Carolina.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the violent spree began at the Walmart on Salem Road and Brown Bridge Road, where Eduh retrieved a weapon after leaving the store and shot two employees. One individual was killed at the scene, and another was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The scene extended to a nearby home off Emerson Trail where Eduh shot and killed Akeela Clarke, a 19-year-old coworker. Clarke's grandmother reported that her granddaughter was killed in front of her mother, while her younger sister hid in a closet during the horrifying incident.
In the aftermath, law enforcement officials apprehended Eduh in Aiken, South Carolina after a brief standoff. Sgt. Jack Redlinger of the Newton County Sheriff's Office shared that Eduh injured himself with the same weapon he used in the shootings. He was then rushed to a local hospital for treatment, as reported by WSBTV.
The victims have been identified as 21-year-old Khalaf Barksdale, and 29-year-old Ryan Bradley in addition to Clarke. Walmart has issued a statement expressing their condolences, "We’re heartbroken by what’s happened. There’s no place for violence in our stores," a Walmart spokesperson said, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. "We’re focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation." Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting and the store remained closed on the day following the tragic events for further evaluation and to ensure the well-being of other associates.
If members of the public have any relevant information that could assist in the ongoing investigation, they are encouraged to reach out to the Newton County Sheriff's Office.
