HIRAM, GA – A tragic incident unfolded at a Walmart Super Center in Hiram, Georgia on Wednesday evening, resulting in the death of two individuals. The incident, which took place around 7:30 p.m. at the store located on Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, is suspected to be a murder-suicide, according to Hiram Police Chief Mike Turner.
The victims, a young man and woman who were previously in a relationship, were found with gunshot wounds. They were rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital but were pronounced dead upon arrival. The identities of the deceased have not been released as authorities are still in the process of notifying their next of kin.
Chief Turner described the incident as a “known-to-known shooting event,” emphasizing that it was not an active shooter situation. The male is believed to have been the assailant, while the female was the victim. The chief expressed his concern for the fear and panic that such an event instills in bystanders, especially those who were present in the store at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses at the scene of the crime reported hearing gunshots and quickly evacuating the store. One witness, Devani Lopez, recounted the terrifying moment, saying she ran for the exit as soon as she heard the second shot.
In response to the incident, Walmart issued a statement expressing their heartbreak and assuring that their priority is the safety of their associates and customers. The store will remain closed while they cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation.
This incident follows a series of shootings at Walmart locations in recent years, including a mass shooting in Chesapeake, Virginia last year that left seven dead, and another shooting outside a Walmart in Marietta, Georgia, just two weeks after the Chesapeake incident. Marietta is approximately 15 miles from Hiram. The investigation into the Hiram shooting is still ongoing.