Suspect charged after 2 women killed in shooting at Ga. dollar store

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COLUMBUS — Two women were fatally shot in the parking lot of a Georgia dollar store by a man officials said they believe is the estranged boyfriend of one of the victims.

Police arrested Quartez Tremon Thomas, 25, on Tuesday in Phenix City, Alabama, and charged him with two counts of murder in the fatal shootings of Jasmine Trice, 30, and Kiera Williams, 28, news outlets reported, citing police.

Investigators alleged Thomas, who was believed to be Williams’ former boyfriend, shot Williams while she was in the passenger’s seat of a car parked at the Columbus discount store Monday evening.

Trice’s body was discovered on the pavement beside the car, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and Williams was pronounced dead at a hospital.

A 6-year-old child was in the vehicle’s back seat at the time of the shooting and was not injured, police said.

Officials did not comment on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Thomas was extradited Tuesday to Columbus and booked into the Muscogee County Jail. He has a preliminary hearing set for Friday.

It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.