A tragic incident unfolded in Hiram, Georgia, as a man and a woman lost their lives in an apparent murder-suicide inside a Walmart Supercenter located on Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, approximately 20 miles northwest of Atlanta. The shooting occurred at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Hiram Police Chief Michael Turner confirmed the deaths, stating that the man and woman succumbed to their injuries while en route to the hospital. At the time of reporting, the identities of the victims had not been disclosed. Chief Turner clarified that the incident was not classified as an active shooter event but rather a situation involving two individuals who shared a prior relationship.
No other individuals were injured during the shooting, although some witnesses reported hearing gunshots. Devani Lopez, a witness, described his response to the gunfire, saying, “As soon as I heard the second shot, I ran straight for the exit… everyone was just so panicked and scared.”
Walmart released a statement expressing their condolences and addressing the situation: “We’re heartbroken by what happened at our Hiram store tonight. Our priority, right now, is the safety of our associates and customers. The store will remain closed while we work with law enforcement during their investigation.”
This incident serves as a somber reminder of past shootings that have occurred in various Walmart locations. Last month, a young girl was injured in a shooting at a Walmart store in South Carolina. In November of the previous year, a Walmart manager opened fire inside a break room at a store in Chesapeake, Virginia, resulting in the tragic deaths of six individuals.
Data analyzed by the advocacy group Guns Down America revealed that between January 1, 2020, and November 22, 2022, there were 536 incidents of gun violence across 12 of the largest grocery store chains in the United States, resulting in 186 fatalities. Walmart, with 363 gun incidents and 112 gun deaths, was identified as the location with the highest number of incidents and casualties. Kroger, Food Lion, and Safeway followed in the rankings.