1 dead, 1 critical in shooting at Family Dollar in Macon. Suspect identified

A woman died and a man was in critical condition after they were shot Tuesday afternoon at a discount store in Macon, according to local officials.

The shooting happened just after 4:30 p.m. at Family Dollar, 3656 Jeffersonville Road, near State Route 57 and U.S. 80, Coroner Leon Jones said.

A 911 call at 4:40 p.m. reported two people had been shot in the parking lot, a news release from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office said.

A 56-year-old woman was shot and pronounced dead at the scene by Chief Deputy Coroner Lonnie Miley, Jones said. Deputies found her “unresponsive” in a Nissan Rogue, the sheriff’s office said.

Her death was being investigated as homicide, according to Jones. Her name was not released by Tuesday night.

A 79-year-old man was also shot and injured, Jones said. Deputies also found him “suffering from a gunshot wound” in the Nissan, the sheriff’s office said.

He was taken to Atrium Health Navicent hospital, where he was in critical condition, Jones said.

No other injuries were reported, according to deputies.

Witnesses said “an altercation as the result of a prior motor vehicle collision” appeared to have caused the shooting, according to the sheriff’s office.

‘Do not approach’ suspect, deputies say

The Bibb and Jones County sheriff’s offices were searching for a suspect they described as “armed and dangerous.”

He was identified as 43-year-old Catrell Tywan Ford, who is bald, 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds.

“If you see Catrell Ford, do not approach him, immediately call 911,” deputies said.

Ford was last seen near Lancing Lane in east Macon, according to the sheriff’s office.

The incident is under investigation and anyone with related information was urged to call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-866-68CRIME.

This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM.