COVINGTON, GA – A tragic series of events unfolded late Wednesday night as a Walmart employee allegedly launched a shooting spree, resulting in one fatality and two critical injuries. The suspect, identified as Dwayne Uda, is accused of targeting his coworkers in a shocking act of workplace violence.
The incident began at a Covington Walmart, where Uda reportedly returned with a firearm after leaving the store. He is accused of shooting Khalif Barksdale, 21, who succumbed to his injuries, and Ryan Bradley, 29, who remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
The violence extended beyond the Walmart premises when Uda allegedly forced entry into a residence on Emerson Trail, where he shot 19-year-old Akeelah Clark. All victims were reportedly employed at the same Walmart and were acquainted with the suspect.
Following the shootings, Uda fled the scene, heading east on I-20 toward Aiken, South Carolina. Authorities managed to contact him by phone, negotiating his surrender. However, upon being located by South Carolina law enforcement, Uda reportedly shot himself and is now in critical condition at an Augusta hospital.
The motive behind the attacks remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Officials have not confirmed any previous altercations or issues involving Uda at work. Questions regarding the response time to the incidents have been raised, but authorities have yet to provide specific details.
The Walmart store involved in the shootings is temporarily closed as investigators work to piece together the tragic sequence of events. While no previous incidents at this location have been disclosed, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
The community is left grappling with the aftermath, as discussions emerge about improving safety measures and preventing future incidents. Authorities are committed to ensuring the security of both employees and customers as they continue their investigation.