COVINGTON, GA – A Walmart employee is accused of a shooting spree that left one person dead and two others critically injured late Wednesday night. The suspect, identified as Dwayne Uda, allegedly targeted his colleagues at a Walmart store before fleeing to a nearby residence.
Authorities reported that Uda, after leaving the store, retrieved a firearm and returned to shoot Khalif Barksdale, 21, and Ryan Bradley, 29, both of Covington. Barksdale succumbed to his injuries, while Bradley remains in critical condition at a local hospital.
Following the incident at Walmart, Uda allegedly forced entry into a home on Emerson Trail, where he shot 19-year-old Akeelah Clark. All individuals involved were said to be employees of the store and known to each other.
After the shootings, Uda fled the scene and headed east on I-20 toward Aiken, South Carolina. Law enforcement managed to contact him by phone and convinced him to surrender. However, upon being located by South Carolina authorities, Uda reportedly shot himself. He is now in critical condition at a hospital in Augusta.
The motive behind the shootings remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Police have not confirmed any prior altercations or issues involving Uda at Walmart. Questions regarding the response time to the incidents have been raised, but authorities have yet to provide detailed timelines.
The Walmart store where the shootings occurred will remain closed while the investigation continues. Officials have not disclosed any previous incidents at this location but are focused on understanding the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
Community members are left grappling with the aftermath, as authorities work to piece together the sequence of events. The tragedy has prompted discussions about safety measures and preventative actions to ensure the security of both employees and customers in the future.