A Waycross man has been charged with Aggravated Assault in connection to a shooting Saturday, December 14 at the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Plant Avenue, Waycross Police Department Chief Tommy Cox said Monday.
Reginald Corey Rawls, 54 of Beville Street, is lodged in the Ware County Jail after turning himself in at the jail Sunday, Cox said. Rawls appeared before a county magistrate Monday morning and was denied bond, Cox said.
The chief said additional charges would be forthcoming against Rawls related to the incident, which took place about 6 p.m., inside the store at 1613 Plant.
Cox said WPD personnel responded to the store after receiving a call regarding shots fired inside the building. Officers immediately entered the site to locate the victim, a male, while simultaneously searching the store for the suspect and other potential victims, he said.
Cox said other officers at the scene directed and assisted in the evacuation of customers and employees from the building.
The name of the victim is being withheld, stated Cox.
“We quickly learned the suspect and the victim were familiar with each other,” said Cox, who earlier said the incident stemmed from a “domestic dispute.”
After further investigation, officials identified Rawls as the suspect in the shooting. WPD also learned the suspect may have fled the city.
The Georgia State Patrol later recovered the suspect’s vehicle, a Mercury Grand Marquis, about 11:50 p.m, Saturday in Chatham County, Cox said.
Rawls surrendered to authorities on an arrest warrant at the Ware County Jail about 2:20 p.m. Sunday, said Ware County Sheriff’s Major Neil Skerratt.
“Our thoughts are with those in the store at the time of the incident, as no one expects something like this to occur during a routine shopping trip,” Cox said.
“And, we’re thankful the victim’s wound appears nonlife threatening. I’d also be derelict if I didn’t say how proud I am of the men and women of the WPD for their prompt and unwavering response in what was believed to be, at the time, an active shooter incident.”
