Tragic Workplace Shooting: Georgia Walmart Employee Fatally Shoots Two Coworkers, Injures Another Before Fleeing to South Carolina and Attempting Suicide During Police Standoff
COVINGTON, GEORGIA — April 12, 2025 — A horrifying act of workplace violence has left a Georgia community in mourning after a Walmart employee opened fire inside and outside the store, killing two coworkers and injuring a third. The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Dwayne Eduh, later turned the weapon on himself during a standoff with police in South Carolina and remains in critical condition.
A Calculated and Devastating Attack
The violence began early Friday morning, around 1:30 a.m., at the Walmart Supercenter located on Salem Road in Covington. According to investigators with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Eduh exited the store to retrieve a firearm and returned to carry out what authorities have described as a “targeted” attack.
He first shot and killed 21-year-old coworker Khalaf Barksdale inside the store. Moments later, Eduh encountered another employee, 29-year-old Ryan Bradley, outside in the parking lot and opened fire again. Bradley was rushed to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
After leaving the Walmart, Eduh drove to a residence on Emerson Trail — about two miles from the store — where he broke in and fatally shot 19-year-old Akeela Clarke, another coworker. Clarke’s mother was present and witnessed the shooting, compounding the trauma of the already devastating incident.
Multi-State Manhunt Ends in South Carolina
Following the shootings, Eduh fled the state. Authorities located him later that day in Aiken County, South Carolina — roughly 150 miles from Covington. As law enforcement officers moved in, Eduh shot himself during a tense standoff. He was immediately transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition as of Saturday.
Not a Random Act
Investigators have stated that the shootings were not random. Sheriff’s deputies believe Eduh specifically targeted his victims, though the exact motive behind the killings is still under investigation. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with multiple agencies to piece together the timeline and understand the shooter’s relationship with the victims.
Community and Corporate Response
Walmart issued a statement expressing sorrow and support for the victims’ families, saying, “We are heartbroken by what has happened. Our priority right now is taking care of our associates and working closely with law enforcement during this difficult time.”
The Covington Walmart remains closed as the investigation continues, and grief counselors have been made available to employees and families affected by the tragedy.
A Community in Mourning
The killings have left the Covington community devastated. Memorials are already forming near the Walmart store, and friends and family of the victims are sharing their shock and heartbreak online. Many are calling for increased mental health resources and better security in the workplace.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates are expected from law enforcement in the coming days. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.