2 dead in murder-suicide at Georgia Walmart

Two people died in a suspected murder-suicide at a Walmart store in Hiram, Georgia, on Wednesday, police said.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, the shooting occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time at the Walmart at 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway. In a press release obtained by PEOPLE from the Hiram Police Department, the deceased were identified as Zoey Nicole Messenger, 20, and James Wyatt Nicholas Norton, 26. Nortan was a Walmart employee.

According to the press release, initial investigations indicate that “the deceased was previously involved in a relationship.” Norton approached Messenger in the store, where they appeared to have a brief conversation. Norton then pulled out a gun and shot Messenger before turning the gun on himself.

“The lead officer on scene took control of a handgun found on the two individuals and summoned medical and additional law enforcement assistance provided by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office,” the Hiram Police Department said. “The rest of the store.” A search was made for additional victims or suspects, but none could be located.

The statement said: “Life-saving measures were initiated by first responders and continued with medical and fire service personnel upon their arrival. Due to their critical condition, both individuals were transported to Kennestone Hospital where both succumbed to their injuries.”

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“You can imagine [being] “Shopping in there, you know, getting things for the family when the shots are fired,” the chief told Fox 5 Atlanta. “Not just for the victim himself, but for the other people there – the fear that, you know, had to be awakened by an event like that.”

“This is very unusual for us,” he added. “We have not experienced an incident like this in the two-plus years I have been here.”

A witness told the outlet, “As soon as I heard the second shot, I ran straight to the exit because I heard the shot from my left side, so I ran to the right exit.” Devani Lopez added, “I ran right towards the car to. I could see everyone running for their lives. Everyone was just panicked and scared.”

“I just hid in the back seat,” Lopez said, adding that he saw “everyone gathered in the entrance.”

“We are heartbroken about what happened at our Hiram store and are focused on doing everything we can to support our associates, including providing on-site counseling services,” Walmart said in a statement to PEOPLE. “We are grateful to local first responders and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement during their investigation.”

“The store remains closed while we work with law enforcement in the investigation,” Walmart said in a statement to ABC News.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or going to 988lifeline.org .