Smiling man charged with murder after ‘intentionally crashing’ into Walmart, police say

The 18-year-old man, who is accused of driving his car into a Walmart store in Georgia, refused to judge during his first court appearance on Friday.

The incident resulted in the death of a 66-year-old man from Florida, who at that time was in the store.

Khalil Pugh is facing multiple charges in Wednesday’s incident. VALB-TV. He is charged with malicious intent, felony, murder with a vehicle, three counts of aggravated assault with intent to kill, second-degree criminal damage to property, reckless driving, driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, and breaking into a cars. .

Thomasville police said Friday they believe Pugh, who smiled when his picture was taken. went to the store intentionally according to WCTV-TV.

NEW: This 18-year-old man has now been charged after investigators say he rammed his car into the main entrance of a Walmart in Thomasville yesterday, killing one customer and injuring another.

Khalil Pugh smiles in the picture. pic.twitter.com/7CgV1OUJsH

— Katie Kaplan (@KatieKaplanTV) March 16, 2023

On Friday Pugh was denial of bail during the trial, after which he showed the judge both middle fingers.

“Pull yourself together,” someone in the courtroom told him.

“That’s what you call a lack of remorse,” the officer said.

Pugh was then removed from the courtroom.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, Pugh was driving a Toyota Camry through the store’s parking lot before the car crashed into the road. front doors shop.

Kenneth Kennedy was leaving at the time. He was hit by a car and died.

According to WCTV, Thomasville police said that Pugh “participated in a series of car break-ins at a separate location shortly before a trip to Wal-Mart.”

Police said that after the crash, Pugh attempted to flee, but was prevented by bystanders at the scene.

TVL police now allege that Pugh deliberately crashed into Walmart.
“The investigation also showed that Khalil Pugh
deliberately crashed into a car through the doors of a Walmart, hitting a pedestrian in the process. ” @SavannahWCTV shared this photo of Pugh in court. pic.twitter.com/6rKFpIACFU

— Jacob Murphy (@jmurpheyWCTV) March 17, 2023

Pugh was reportedly carrying a passenger in the car.

“We’re trying to put everything together to find out why he was driving at such a speed in the parking lot,” said the Georgia State Patrol Sergeant. John Vanlandingham said, according to WCTV-TV.

A Walmart spokesperson said: “We are heartbroken to learn what happened and express our sympathy to all those affected. We will continue to work closely with local law enforcement as they investigate this incident.”