Police: Army soldier in Georgia kills wife in homicide-suicide at shopping center

HINESVILLE, Ga. — A U.S. Army soldier stationed in Georgia and his wife are dead in an apparent homicide-suicide, authorities said.

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According to a news release from Fort Stewart, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher J. Williams, 35, who is stationed at Fort Stewart, along with his wife, were found dead at a Hinesville shopping center by police on Friday, The Savannah Morning News reported.

Officials with the Hinesville Police Department identified the soldier’s wife as Terrica L Williams, 36, WTGS-TV reported.

Liberty County sheriff’s deputies reportedly found the couple dead in the backroom of a business within the shopping center, the Morning News reported.

Christopher Williams was assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, according to WSAV-TV. He served as a culinary specialist and worked as a culinary management noncommissioned officer.

According to Hinesville Police Chief Lloyd Slater, police responded to the Liberty Square Shopping Center around 1:30 p.m. EDT after receiving reports of a barricaded subject, WTGS reported. Slater said a woman driving a sedan pulled into the parking lot of the shopping center with a man in a truck following her.

Police said Christopher Williams had a gun as he chased his wife into Lendmark Financial Services, WSAV reported. Slater said the couple ran into the back room of the business, which allowed employees to escape unharmed. Witnesses claimed to hear gunshots coming from the office, and officers broke a front window to enter, according to the television station.

Rick Faircloth, the owner of Pro Feet Apparel and Shoe store, told WSAV one of the victims was a customer.

“Apparently the guy that did this was a customer of ours and he was actually shopping yesterday. It’s sad,” Faircloth told the television station. “Apparently, he got enraged about something and lost control. That’s crazy how that happens.”

There were no other injuries, police said.

According to Fort Stewart officials, Christopher Williams served for 15 years and was deployed five times, including one combat deployment to Iraq. His awards include two Army commendation medals, two Army achievement medals, five Army good conduct medals, a National Defense service medal, an Iraq campaign medal and other honors.

“On behalf of the entire division, I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to both families in the wake of this tragic and shocking incident,” Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, said in a statement. “We are working closely with local authorities during their investigation and are providing as much support as we can to both families during this very difficult time.”

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