Fight outside Walmart in Cobb erupts into gunfire, leaves 1 dead

Police cars could be seen crowded in front of the Walmart on Chastain Meadows Parkway just north of Marietta.

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

Police cars could be seen crowded in front of the Walmart on Chastain Meadows Parkway just north of Marietta.

A fight between two groups of people who knew each other outside a Cobb County Walmart devolved into gun violence Wednesday, leaving one person dead and several others detained, police said.

After initially saying there were multiple injuries at the store at 2795 Chastain Meadows Parkway, Cobb police said in an update that only one person had been shot. According to authorities, Eddie Figueroa of Kennesaw was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in a private vehicle and later died from his injuries. Police did not say if the 23-year-old was involved in the incident or just a bystander.

The shooting erupted from a fight between two groups in the parking lot shortly before noon, just outside the store’s automotive center, police spokesman Deputy Chief Ben Cohen told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the scene.

Police did not say how many people had been detained, but confirmed Thursday that several persons of interest had been identified.

Cohen said the initial 911 caller reported an active shooter at the Walmart, and fears of a public attack spread on social media as police cars swarmed the strip mall parking lot. Investigators quickly determined the incident was the result of a fight between people who already knew each other and there was no danger to the public, Cohen confirmed.

Shoppers and employees had to be evacuated from the store, police said. Officers told the AJC the store would remain closed for the rest of the day.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobb police tip hotline at 770-499-4111.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.