Khalaf Barksdale Shhoting; Khalaf Barksdale And Akeela Clarke Died, Ryan Bradley Injured In Walmart Shooting

Khalaf Barksdale Shhoting; Khalaf Barksdale and Akeela Clarke Died, Ryan Bradley Injured in Walmart Shooting

Authorities have identified the suspect in a tragic early morning shooting that left two Walmart employees dead and another critically injured. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the shooter was 25-year-old Dwayne Eduh, a fellow employee at the Walmart store located on Salem Road in Georgia.

The horrifying sequence of events unfolded just after 1:30 a.m., when Eduh, who had been inside the store working his shift, abruptly left the building, retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, and returned to carry out the deadly attack.

According to Sgt. Jack Redlinger of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the first victim was 21-year-old Khalaf Barksdale, who was shot and killed inside the store.

Eduh then reportedly encountered another coworker, Ryan Bradley, whom he shot while exiting the premises. Bradley was critically injured and transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in serious condition.

The violence did not end there. Law enforcement officials say Eduh then drove to a home on Emerson Trail, where he fatally shot 19-year-old Akeela Clarke, another Walmart employee. Clarke’s mother, Samantha Clarke, was present at the scene and witnessed the moment her daughter was shot.

“She fell on impact, and at that moment I knew my daughter was gone,” Samantha Clarke told reporters on Friday, her voice trembling with grief. She stated that her daughter had not been in a relationship with Eduh and that there was no known personal connection between them, though Akeela had recently expressed concerns about interactions with Eduh. However, no formal complaints were filed, and the nature of those concerns remains unclear.

The motive behind the shootings is still under investigation. Sgt. Redlinger emphasized that authorities have yet to determine what may have driven Eduh to commit such a horrific act of violence. “At this point, we’re still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to try to understand what led to this tragedy,” he said.

Following the shootings, Eduh fled the scene, heading east on Interstate 20 and eventually crossing into South Carolina. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies, along with South Carolina state troopers, managed to locate Eduh’s vehicle and pulled him over.

A tense standoff ensued. In a tragic conclusion, Eduh shot himself before officers could take him into custody. He was critically injured and remains hospitalized in South Carolina under police watch.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that only Walmart employees were inside the store at the time of the shooting, as the incident occurred during the overnight shift when the store was closed to customers.

The store was immediately shut down following the incident, and Walmart representatives stated on Friday that it would remain closed until further notice.

In an official statement, Walmart expressed sorrow and pledged support for its employees. “We’re heartbroken by what’s happened,” the company said. “There’s no place for violence in our stores. We’re focused on taking care of our associates and supporting law enforcement with their investigation.”

The community is reeling from the incident, as the victims were young individuals who had been working to build their futures. Friends and coworkers described Khalaf Barksdale and Akeela Clarke as hardworking, kind-hearted, and full of potential. Vigils and memorials are being planned in their honor, as the community grieves the senseless loss.

As the investigation continues, authorities hope to piece together what prompted the sudden outburst of violence. For now, the focus remains on providing support to the families of the victims and ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by the tragedy.