Eric Jerome Tooley, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Georgia 2025

Valdosta, Georgia – In a shocking display of disregard for human life, Eric Jerome Tooley, 46, of Hahira, Georgia, fired shots between customers inside a Valdosta convenience store, leaving a trail of fear and terror in his wake.

According to court documents, Tooley, a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal history, was arrested after firing a round between customers standing inside the Mega Mart on North Lee Street in Valdosta on February 19, 2025. The incident was captured on video surveillance, showing Tooley getting agitated with the cashier over a lighter before pointing his pistol at the store clerk and firing it between two customers.

Tooley, who has prior felony drug distribution convictions in the Superior Courts of Cobb County, Georgia, and Lowndes County, Georgia, is now facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to life in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine as an armed career criminal.

U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes commended the bravery displayed by the responding Valdosta Police Department officers and their work to safely apprehend the defendant. “Armed repeat offenders found endangering people’s safety will find their cases prosecuted at the federal level, where there is no parole,” Keyes said.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the federal government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The Valdosta Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Valdosta Police Department Chief Leslie Manahan praised the partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in bringing Tooley to justice. “This case is a great example of the importance of collaboration between local, state and federal partners,” Manahan said.

Assistant ATF Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka also commended the work of the Valdosta Police Department in safely apprehending Tooley. “This defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for human life—firing inside a business and endangering innocent bystanders,” Kolodka said.

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