Georgia Kroger Employee Arrested after Allegedly Stabbing Co-Worker

A 21-year-old man employed at a Kroger store in Georgia has been arrested and charged after being accused of attacking a 59-year-old co-worker, police say.

Suspect Akin Williams, of Snellville, was taken into custody by officers of the Gwinnett County Police Department yesterday morning after they responded to the Kroger at 1911 Grayson Hwy in Grayson at about 6 a.m. and found a victim with multiple stab or slice wounds.

The female victim—whose identity has not been released by law enforcement, suffered injuries to her neck, hands and legs, WSB-TV reported.

The injured woman was taken to a local hospital and underwent surgery yesterday.

Officials confirmed in a media release that the suspect and victim were both employed at the same store, but said the probe continues in an attempt to pin down a motive for the alleged stabbing.

Williams was taken into custody and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail. He was charged with aggravated assault and held without bail.

Gwinnett County police said additional charges may still be brought against the suspect. Inmate records currently list more charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment, both felonies. The filings said Williams was booked into the facility at approximately 8:30 a.m. yesterday.

A customer named Jeff Tatz, who was turned away from the store Sunday morning, expressed shock at the arrest. "I come to this Kroger two to three days a week," he told 11Alive. "It is always very quiet. Everyone is always very friendly." The store reopened around noon.

A spokesperson from Kroger declined to comment on specifics.

"The safety and security of our customers and our associates is our top priority and we would like to thank Gwinnett County Police Department for their quick response," the grocery retailer told WSB-TV, adding: "We cannot comment further due to the need to maintain the privacy of those involved and are referring all inquiries the Gwinnett County Police Department."

In Georgia, anyone convicted of aggravated assault can face up to 20 years in prison alongside a fine of up to $100,000, according to the Law Office of Michael West P.C.

The firm says in a fact sheet: "The offense occurs when a defendant inflicts a serious injury to a victim, such as loss of a limb, loss of the ability to use a limb, or serious disfigurement. Serious injury is defined as more than minor or slight harm. It could include fractures, putting a victim in a coma, wounds that require extensive suturing, injuries that require treatment... or surgery."

Earlier this year, representatives from Kroger aligned with messaging from retail giant Walmart, urging U.S. customers not to bring firearms into its stores.

"Kroger has demonstrated with our actions that we recognize the growing chorus of Americans who are no longer comfortable with the status quo and who are advocating for concrete and common sense gun reforms," corporate affairs chief Jessica Adelman said at the time.