Anti-masker Victor Lee Tucker jr. shot and killed a cashier over mask dispute in a grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia

 

Pictured, Victor Lee Tucker Jr. Palmetto, Georgia man shoots dead cashier at Decatur Big Bear Supermarket following dispute over face mask. Image via DeKalb County, GA police bookings.

Anti-masker Victor Lee Tucker jr. shot and killed a cashier over mask dispute in a grocery store in Atlanta, Georgia

By Edward Era Barbacena

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities have identified the suspect in a shooting in DeKalb that injured a deputy and left a cashier dead.

Authorities said a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reserve unit deputy was injured during the shooting at the Big Bear Supermarket near South DeKalb Mall around 1:10 p.m.

DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox said the violence started as a dispute between the suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Victor Lee Tucker Jr. of Palmetto, and a cashier over a mask. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Tucker left without making a purchase but immediately returned inside. 

"The subject pulled out a weapon and shot the cashier at the location," Maddox said adding that the cashier has since died.

She said the deputy, a 30-year veteran of the DeKalb County Police Department who was now working with the sheriff's office, attempted to intervene was shot as well. Maddox said he pulled out his gun and opened fire after Tucker shot the cashier. 

Tucker was hit and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after being arrested by arriving DeKalb Police officers. According to the GBI, he was found crawling out the front door of the supermarket.

However, the deputy was also shot twice and taken to Atlanta Medical Center. The cashier was officially pronounced dead at Grady.

A witness, identified as Alan Williams, said Tucker walked into the store, struck the cashier with a gun, then shot her. That's when the deputy and the suspect exchanged gunfire.

Authorities said the deputy was working a part-time security job at the store. Reservists, the spokesperson said, are not active duty and most are retired. 

The GBI said they have been requested to investigate the shooting. The DeKalb County Police Department is also investigating the incident overall.

The condition of the deputy is unknown at this time but Sheriff Maddox said he is stable. The suspect was also listed as stable according to the GBI.