Shooting outside Publix in Tucker leaves one hospitalized

TUCKER — An argument outside a Publix in Tucker ended in gunfire and left one man hospitalized.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that an argument occurred between two groups of people in the parking lot of Publix at 4650 Hugh Howell Road in Tucker at about 8:45 p.m. Monday.

As several people from these groups approached the entrance to Publix, the argument escalated. A uniformed DeKalb County Police officer working part time security at the store saw the argument. The officer then saw one of the men shoot one of the other men, who was later identified as Ronald Thomas.

The officer returned fire and the shooter left the location. The shooter was apprehended and questioned by police. Thomas was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he is reported to be in serious but stable condition.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation of the use of force. The DeKalb County Police Department is conducting the investigation of the shooting incident between the man and Thomas. Once complete, the case file will be turned over to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s office for review. 

This is the 47^th officer involved shooting the GBI has been requested to investigate in 2022.