Covington, GA — A tragic incident unfolded this past week when Dwayne Eduh, a 24-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting two Walmart coworkers and injuring another in Georgia, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being located by law enforcement in South Carolina. The confrontation and subsequent suicide occurred on Sunday, concluding a tense manhunt that began shortly after the violent episode at a Walmart supercenter in Covington.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident began Friday when Eduh, following a dispute inside the store, left the premises only to return armed. He then opened fire, killing 21-year-old Khalaf Barksdale and 19-year-old Akeela Clarke. Another co-worker, 29-year-old Ryan Bradley, was wounded in the attack and is currently in stable condition after being rushed to the hospital.
In a harrowing continuation of his spree, Eduh broke into the residence of another co-worker. The home invasion led to further violence which resulted in more gunshots being fired. Samantha Clarke, the mother of the deceased Akeela Clarke, recounted the terrifying moment to local media, describing how the shooter forcibly entered her home, escalating the situation that culminated in her daughter’s death.
Following these horrific acts, Eduh fled Georgia. His escape led him to South Carolina where law enforcement officials, including officers from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and state troopers, engaged him a few hours later near Aiken. It was during this encounter that Eduh, cornered by the police, turned his weapon on himself. He was transported in critical condition to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Caitlin Jett, a spokesperson for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, clarified that this was not considered an “active shooter situation” but rather a targeted attack on individuals Eduh knew personally. The motives behind the killings are still under investigation, and the community is left reeling from the shocking specificity of the violence.
The local Walmart where the initial shooting took place was closed to the public at the time of the incident and only staff members were present. Walmart has since released a statement asserting that violence has no place in its stores and affirmed its commitment to supporting its associates and cooperating fully with the police investigation.
In response to the episode, an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday in Newberry, as informed by the coroner’s office. The community and the families involved are now mourning the loss and grappling with the profound impact of the violence as they await further details from the ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement and forensic experts continue to piece together the timeline and interactions that led to this tragic course of events. While the immediate threat has ceased with the death of the suspect, the larger questions concerning workplace safety and individual motivations linger, casting a long shadow over the small community of Covington.