FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – Tragedy struck a Walmart in Fayetteville on Friday night, leading to the death of a young man and injuring a girl in a shooting incident. The city’s police department reported that the suspected shooter, identified as 19-year-old Adrian Jelks, remains at large and is wanted for murder and aggravated assault. Another individual, 19-year-old Sandra Romero-Nunez, has been taken into custody in connection with the crime.
According to Fayetteville police, the shooting took place at the Walmart located in the Fayette Pavilion shopping center around 10 p.m. Antavius Holton, 19, succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, while a 9-year-old girl, also a victim of the shooting, is expected to recover. Officers responded swiftly to the scene, but Jelks had already fled in a vehicle that was later found abandoned.
During a press conference, Fayetteville Police Chief Gray emphasized that the shooting was not a random act of violence and suggested that Jelks and Holton may have had a prior relationship. The young girl caught in the crossfire was described as an innocent bystander who happened to be present at the Walmart during the incident.
In response to the tragic event, Walmart issued a statement expressing condolences to those affected by the violence and pledged to cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation. The community surrounding the retail store was shaken by the incident, with witnesses recounting their shock and concern over the unexpected violence in their neighborhood.
Residents and shoppers alike voiced their distress at the shooting, with many calling for increased security measures in public places to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting or Jelks’ whereabouts to come forward, emphasizing that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
As the investigation into the Walmart shooting continues, the community remains on edge, hoping for swift justice and the apprehension of the individual responsible for the tragic loss of life.