Eden Police Arrest Suspect in Walmart Parking Lot Shooting; Victim in Stable but Critical Condition
EDEN, N.C. — August 28, 2026 — Eden Police have arrested a suspect following a shooting Thursday evening in the Walmart parking lot that left one person hospitalized in stable but critical condition.
According to the Eden Police Department, officers responded to Walmart at approximately 6:24 p.m. on August 27 after receiving a report of shots fired in the parking lot.
Approximately six minutes later, at 6:30 p.m., officers received a report of a gunshot victim at UNC Rockingham. Officers responded to both locations and determined the incidents were connected.
Investigators were called to both locations and began working to identify the person responsible for the shooting.
Following the investigation and consultation with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Tahj Jaquan Thomas.
Thomas was apprehended without incident Friday morning, August 28.
He is charged with:
• Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury
Thomas was transported to the Rockingham County Jail, where police say he is being held without bond.
Thomas is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on September 8, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
The victim was transported to an area hospital and remains in stable but critical condition. Eden Police are not releasing the victim’s identity at this time.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and that no additional information will be released at this time.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Lieutenant David Stepps or Detective Brock Fox at 336-623-9755, available 24 hours a day, or 336-623-9240, ext. 3255, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Rockingham County Crime Stoppers at 336-349-9683.
Thomas has been charged in connection with the shooting. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
