16-Year-Old Charged Following Saturday Shooting Incident at East Gadsden Walmart
GADSDEN — Authorities have released additional details following a shooting incident Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of the East Gadsden Walmart that resulted in the arrest of a 16-year-old suspect.
According to the Gadsden Police Department, officers responded to the store at approximately 12:30 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire in the parking lot.
Investigators determined that a dispute between two individuals began inside the store and continued outside into the parking lot. During the altercation, the 16-year-old suspect reportedly produced a firearm, ran, and attempted to shoot the other individual involved in the dispute.
Police said the intended target was not struck, but two occupied vehicles in the parking lot were hit by gunfire during the incident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Authorities noted that the shooting occurred in a crowded parking lot during the middle of the day, a situation that officials say could have easily resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.
The juvenile suspect has been charged with two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, and investigators say additional charges are possible. Due to recent legislation, the 16-year-old is eligible to be tried as an adult.
Gadsden Police Chief Lamar Jaggears said the outcome could have been far worse.
“We are fortunate no one was hurt,” Jaggears said. “Situations like this remind us how fast things can happen. Our officers and this community responded exactly how they should, and we will continue to hold people accountable when they choose to endanger others.”
Police also credited witnesses who remained at the scene and cooperated with officers, as well as law enforcement personnel who responded and assisted with the investigation.
The Gadsden Police Department’s Criminal Investigative Division continues to investigate the incident.
https://weisradio.com/2026/04/04/shooting-incident-at-east-gadsden-walmart/
