Two people are dead and 10 injured after a shooting at a Publix grocery store in Decatur, Georgia, on Wednesday afternoon, police said.
The shooting happened just before 12:30 p.m. at the Publix located at 2163 Candler Road, according to Decatur Police Maj. Stephen Fore. He said officers responded to a call of an active shooter and found multiple victims inside the store.
Fore said two people were pronounced dead at the scene and 10 others were transported to local hospitals with injuries. He said the conditions of the injured victims range from stable to critical.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Ricky Swinson, was taken into custody without incident shortly after the shooting, Fore said. He said Swinson is facing murder charges and additional charges are expected.
Fore said investigators are still working to determine the motive for the shooting. He said there is no indication that the shooting was a random act of violence.
“We believe that the suspect knew at least some of the victims,” Fore said. “We’re still trying to piece together what happened and why.”
The shooting sent shockwaves through the Decatur community. Publix is a popular grocery store chain in the area and the shooting happened in a busy shopping center.
“This is a tragedy,” Fore said. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”
The shooting is the latest in a string of mass shootings in the United States. Just last week, eight people were killed in a shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. In March, 10 people were killed in a shooting at a King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado.
The shootings have reignited the debate over gun control in the United States. Some lawmakers are calling for stricter gun laws, while others argue that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of gun violence, such as mental health and poverty.
President Joe Biden has called for stricter gun control measures, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons. He has also called for increased funding for mental health services.
The debate over gun control is likely to continue in the wake of the latest shooting. It is a complex issue with no easy answers. However, it is clear that something needs to be done to address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.
Here are some additional details about the shooting:
– The shooting happened in the deli section of the Publix grocery store.
– The suspect used a handgun in the shooting.
– The suspect was taken into custody by a Decatur police officer who was working off-duty at the store.
– The FBI is assisting in the investigation.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time..
