Danger in the afternoon: Valdosta store robber shoots at police officer, bystanders at two stores
By T.S. Carter
A Valdosta police officer evaded a pair of gunshots fired at him by an armed robber who had just fired at least one shot inside the Mega Mart convenience store in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 19, according to Valdosta police.
The close calls for the officer and people in the stores came amid a 3:20 p.m. shooting spree that stretched from the Mega Mart to Mr. B’s IGA and on to a nearby neighborhood.
Police said the gunshots fired inside the convenience store were directed at areas where customers stood. The shots fired at the IGA store went through the store’s outside wall and narrowly missed customers and employees inside, police said.
The gunfire directed at the IGA occurred as the gunman, later identified as 45-year-old Eric Jerome Tooley, crossed the grocery market’s parking lot, police said. This was just after Tooley shot at the officer in the Mega Mart parking lot, according to police.
As he fled, Tooley stopped to threaten and rob a passerby, police said.
It all started when the responding officer heard gunshots while patrolling near the Mega Mart along the 1400 block of North Lee Street. Moments later 911 emergency callers started reporting gunfire inside the Mega Mart.
The officer headed for the convenience store, arriving just as Tooley walked out of the store, police said. As Tooley crossed the parking lot, he raised a firearm and discharged it at least two times, police reported. This was just after he had shot a vehicle in the parking lot.
The officer evaded the shots and pursued Tooley on foot south through the parking lot of Mr. B’s IGA. That’s when he heard another shot.
By then numerous officers and detectives arrived to help find Tooley who was continuing to run south between houses, according to police.
Officers in the area heard another gunshot behind a house.
Tooley next ran toward an officer staged in the 600 block of East Jane Street. The officer ordered Tooley to the ground at gunpoint, but Tooley dropped his gun in the middle of the road and ran away. Officers caught up to him and took him into custody.
Police say officers and detectives searched all areas where Tooley had discharged the firearm and found that no one had been injured.
Through investigation, detectives say they determined that Tooley went into the Mega Mart while holding a handgun. He demanded money from the store clerk, police said.
Tooley, police said, then fired the gun inside the store, in the area where customers were standing. As he left the store, he shot a vehicle. Walking away from the store, Tooley spotted the responding police officer and shot in his direction, police said.
Tooley next ran through the parking lot of Mr. B’s IGA and shot toward the store, police said. The bullet went through the outside wall and into the business, just missing employees and customers, according to police.
As Tooley began to run between houses, he stopped and while pointing the gun at a citizen, he demanded money. Tooley then continued running, where he was apprehended by officers.
The handgun Tooley had had been stolen in a burglary, just before this incident.
Tooley was transported to Lowndes County Jail. He has been charged with:
- Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer-felony;
- 7 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon-felony;
- Armed robbery-felony;
- Criminal attempt to commit an armed robbery-felony;
- 3 counts of criminal damage to property 1st degree-felony;
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon-felony;
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony-felony;
- Burglary 1st degree family violence-felony;
- Criminal damage to property 2nd degree family violence-felony;
- Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute-felony;
- Reckless conduct-misdemeanor; and
- Obstruction of a law enforcement officer-misdemeanor.
Chief Leslie Manahan said the shooting spree made for a dangerous afternoon and he’s grateful no one was physically hurt. “I am incredibly proud of our department working together to catch this subject.”
“During the middle of the day, he showed reckless disregard for anyone’s life, including his own,” Manahan added.
“We are extremely grateful that no one was injured.”
Anyone with further information on this case or any other casesis urged to contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.
