DECATUR, GA – A shooting erupted inside a busy DeKalb County grocery store Saturday, leaving two innocent bystanders injured. The incident unfolded at the Ingles Market located on Rock Bridge Road, a bustling shopping area frequented by locals.
Witnesses reported that the violence began with an argument among individuals who appeared to know each other. The altercation quickly escalated, culminating in a hail of gunfire. According to Franz Bryce, a man whose fiancée works at the store, the assailant fired approximately six or seven shots. In a bid to protect his colleagues, one employee reportedly returned fire.
Bryce recounted a frantic phone call from his fiancée, urging him to arrive at the scene immediately. Upon his arrival, he learned that two employees were struck by bullets. His fiancée, acting swiftly, administered first aid to one of the wounded, using her hoodie to apply pressure to the produce manager’s chest wound.
The other victim, a deli worker, sustained a gunshot wound to her hand. Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that the injured parties were not involved in the initial dispute that led to the gunfire.
Authorities are still piecing together the events leading up to the shooting. As of now, no arrests have been made, and it’s unclear who the suspect might be. The DeKalb County Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Bryce expressed his relief that his fiancée was unharmed, although visibly shaken by the ordeal. “She came out with blood on her clothes, and it’s terrifying to think this could happen to good people just doing their jobs,” he said.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about the motive behind the argument and the identities of those involved. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the violence that shattered the routine of a typical shopping day.
Ingles Market has yet to comment on the situation, and the community awaits further updates from law enforcement.